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The Teen Appeal
The University of Memphis
300 Meeman Journalism Building
Memphis, TN., 38152
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In the halls of many high schools, a line of segregation exists. Certainly, there are cliques at every school, ranging from the jocks to the intellectuals. Inside many optional schools, though, a closer look shows a growing divide—a segregation of traditional and optional students.
Everyone has seen it and no one can escape it. The question is whether students are acting involuntarily or voluntarily. Do students notice the actions they take by socializing only with students who are in their classes?
One student did.
Eileen Townsend, a sophomore at White Station High, said she was disgusted by the divide.
“It’s a needless divide with equal amounts of misunderstanding,” Eileen said.
Instead of being reactive to the problem, Eileen became proactive. She formed the Student Activists for Equality. The club’s primary goal is to understand the divide between traditional and optional students and to eliminate the problem completely.
“We must increase participation in both programs, include students in every interaction,” Eileen said.
At the group’s first meeting, students discussed the issue and gave insightful opinions on why they think the problem exists.
“It’s a stereotype for everyone in the optional program and traditional classes that all the traditional students act ghetto and the optional kids are snobs,” said Ashton Carter, a White Station junior. “That’s not true. I believe its ignorance on both sides.”
Minds were boggled, stereotypes were exposed, but initiative was taken. Students said they left the meeting feeling as if change could be made. Eileen has many ideas to resolve the issue. One is Mix-It-Up Day, where during lunch students sit with those who don’t take the same courses they do.
Townsend said she feels strongly about the issue and so do many of the club’s participants. They believe White Station is a good place to test their ability to succeed.
Will the lines of segregation be erased?
The Student Activists for Equality are willing to take the challenge and set an example for their peers — not necessarily to prove a point, but to teach a lesson of understanding.
“We should all understand that we are equal. No particular group is superior to another. We can all learn lessons from one another,” said senior Kendrall Taylor. “From that will come understanding of the unknown.”