Ron Kipling Williams on Youth Advocacy

Ron Kipling Williams is a political/social performance artist, media activist, and member of the Indypendent Reader Editorial Group and the Radical Artist Movement (RAM). One of the biggest misconceptions about youth advocacy, and as ayouth advocate, I can attest to this, is that adults are manipulating the young people into engaging in actions that are counterproductive and consequently detrimental to their cause. This is not the case at all. First, instead of executing outside judgments, I would invite those who are skeptical to see firsthand what our involvement entails. Youth advocacy is not about sending them to church, preparing them for a “good government job,” and grooming them to be obedient citizens. It is about stepping out of the way so that young people can engage in experiential real-world exercises and in the process train themselves and each other to become our next generation of leaders. Good youth advocacy is about allowing young people to take the lead in organizing, planning, and meeting, and it is they who should make the final decisions on what actions will be taken. Mentors should take an advisory role, providing them with guidance, suggestions and resources. We help make sure that their lives are balanced between their activities, their school, and their home life. We try to furnish them with safety nets should they find themselves in situations where they feel overwhelmed. I believe it is disingenuous when City officials belittle the work of good mentors and youth advocates. When the Peer 2 Peer youth coalition began a hunger strike against a funding cut earlier this year, Mayor Dixon alluded to what we do as manipulative. During the hunger strike she said in a press conference that Peer 2 Peer youth "were being misguided." Of course, when you have media sources like The Baltimore Sun, who endorsed Mayor Dixon, how can you expect to have balanced news coverage on Peer 2 Peer? You can only generate a gross lack of understanding of what they do. So many people who looked at the news and read the paper only saw the young people as "misguided." Some have characterized them as ignorant and even gone so far as to call them thugs. This is an insult to us all. These are America’s young people and they will reflect the opportunities we provide for them. Youth advocacy is not an easy job because you’re trying to uplift young people to fundamentally change a system that both you and they know criminally neglects and under serves them. It requires a lot of love, patience, and an understanding of when to step in and when to let go. Ultimately, watching young people fly is such an exhilarating feeling—at times there are no words to express it. I admire those who are on the frontlines step by step with our young people, but far enough back to demonstrate to the world that the next generation of freedom and justice activists are not waiting to grow up – they are here. Kevin James aka "Son of Nun" and Kevin Wheeler Kevin James aka Son of Nun is a political/social hip hop emcee, member of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), and former teacher. Kevin Wheeler is a former teacher and camp instructor and also member of ISO. Ron Williams sat down with them at Red Emma’s Bookstore and Coffeehouse and asked for their thoughts on teaching, mentoring, and education. Kevin J: I started teaching in the city because I wanted to make a difference. I was loving the kids but hating the system, not just Baltimore City’s but the entire education system. I didn’t go into it blindly, but things become a lot clearer when you’re in it. I came across the Baltimore Urban Debate League (BUDL) and the Algebra Project (BAP) in my last year of teaching in the 2004/2005 school year. I helped coach debate and supported the student strikes. Coming across those organizations inspired me to find out how to keep this going. I’m passionate about it because young people are taking the initiative as opposed to an outside force. The kids are experiencing it and deciding they’re going to do something about it. It’s not about the Dangerous Minds (motion picture starring Michelle Pfeiffer) aspect. While they respect Jay (BAP Coordinator), he’s not the final word. Kevin W: People without a voice are the ones who are left behind. Children are left behind for a reason. Most kids are at the behest of those in power. They are left behind to continue the status quo which is only working for a few. When I was going to school, I never had enough books and supplies. The windows were made of plexiglass. It felt like a hospital or a psych ward. warehouse kids. So, a lot of these kids who are selling drugs really start by asking questions like, ‘Why don’t I have enough when everyone else has a surplus?’ KJ: Your education is supposed to empower you to change your reality. The school system is a holding ground until they learn how to follow orders. The people who manage them go to schools they never hear of. KW:. We’re basically telling our kids that your worth is based on what you earn. It permeates society. This country’s become so mercenary. ‘I’ll do anything to get this money.’ There’s nothing wrong with owning. The problem is thinking that what you won will make or break you. It makes me sick to see how they market these kids. ‘You’ll be like Hannah Montana if you by this CD.’ Why don’t you work with the tangible and get their needs met? Instead we breed contempt for those who are in poverty. What we are teaching obviously is not working. It needs to change. KJ: You need to open your mind up and listen as opposed to saying, ‘I’m going to save these kids.’ I can stand on the corner and ‘ra-ra’, but if someone’s belly’s empty…? It has to be balanced.