These Malverne teens are tackling a big issue head-on. Read about their ideas.

As teaching race continues to divide America, two Malverne High School students aren’t being discouraged.

Malverne High School Class of 2023 graduates Javonni Green and Sabrina Ramharakh were two of four winners from ERASE Racism’s 2023 “Raise Your Voice” essay contest. This year’s contest tasked Long Island students to discuss “The importance of teaching students about racism in U.S. history.” Green and Ramharakh each won a $500 scholarship prize.

“ERASE Racism’s ‘Raise Your Voice’ student essay contest offers an opportunity for public high school seniors on Long Island to express their views on the importance of teaching about racism — and to earn college scholarships in the process,” said ERASE Racism President Laura Harding. “This year’s contest winners highlight the eloquent voices of Long Island students and the insightful leadership that they demonstrate in addressing structural racism on Long Island.”

Green’s essay explored Florida’s decision to ban teaching African American history and culture in the proposed Advanced Placement course. His thesis was how through teaching the history of racism, the American education system can help prevent children from perpetuating racism.

“Teaching students about systemic racism and discriminatory policies can lead to it being recognized and hopefully reduce it,” Green wrote. “Racism doesn’t just happen; it’s learned. If we pay more attention to why and how it’s recognized, then we see the problem. We shouldn’t be working against each other we should be working with each other to try to make a better life for our kids and families after us to lead on the legacy.”

Ramharakh’s essay discussed the community’s successful effort to name a street that had been named for a KKK leader. Ramharakh was a leader of that in-depth community initiative that saw Lindner Place renamed to Acorn Way.

“We rescued this quiet street so that no child in my community will ever again walk alongside dandelions down a street named for someone who represents such hate,” Ramharakh wrote. “It’s crucial that students are taught about our history and the racism that has permeated our society. Our nation is still experiencing the effects of our past and learning from it is the only way to move forward as a people. Being taught about Long Island’s history and racism is what allowed my classmates and I to use our education for the better and take a stand.”

ERASE Racism is a Long Island civil rights organization that conducts research, advocacy, legal action, and education.