Hewlett Happenings

Combating gender, race and food inequity

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The Hewlett-Woodmere communities have been working together to combat inequity within our respective hamlets, especially inequity in food, sexual orientation and race.

On March 9, Hewlett High’s Youth Leadership Club hosted the “World Café” or “Equity Evening” at Woodmere Middle School, the first in more than four years.

The goal of the night was discuss inequity — both social and economic — that is present within our community. Gathered around randomly selected tables comprised of students, teachers, parents and community members, all in attendance were devoted to helping to make the Hewlett-Woodmere communities better. This night furthered the discussions that have been taking place at this year’s Youth Leadership Forums, which are discussions attended by select high school members during the school day four times each school year.

The night included powerful guest speakers, including founder of the local nonprofit organization Rock & Wrap It Up!, Syd Mandelbaum. Mandelbaum, who discussed food inequity, is no stranger to the Hewlett-Woodmere communities.

In fact, he attended one of the Youth Leadership Forums earlier in the year to discuss the same issue. In addition, many Hewlett students know him through their volunteer work with his Cedarhurst-based organization. After Mandelbaum’s speech, groups brainstormed ideas that could help to reduce food inequity.

Popular ideas included gathering canned foods at sporting events and planning community events to make food for those in need.

To begin the discussion on LBGTQ+ inequity, the group welcomed Scott Peterson, a social worker at Pride for Youth. Peterson, too, attended an earlier Youth Leadership Forum to discuss his work with the forum’s members. Peterson stressed the importance of supporting our LGBTQ+ youth.

Race inequity in our community was also discussed. President of the local NAACP chapter, Beatrice Bayley, and the managing principal of GFB Enterprises, Gerri Bostick, prompted the discussion by speaking about their encounters with racism. They also attended a Youth Leadership Forum to stress their message to high school students.

Both speakers discussed that while we all learn about racism in our history classes, racism is not merely history; unfortunately, racism still plagues our nation today. Within the discussion, community members and students highlighted specific aspects of race inequity within our community.

Members of Hewlett High’s Youth Leadership Forum will attend their final forum of the year in a few weeks. The goal of the final session will be to discuss inequity based on religion within our community — and across the nation.

The night was definitely a success for our communities, but that does not mean the work is over. Together, students, parents, teachers and community members must continue to join forces to make sure everyone is treated with respect and dignity within the Hewlett-Woodmere communities and beyond.