Youth ROC Speaks Out: No Funding, No Future

Speak Out! poet at Rufus King High School

This fall, high schools students across Milwaukee participated in Speak-Outs against budget cuts in public schools. Youth ROC organizing team members came up with the idea of holding Speak-Outs to educate their peers on school funding problems.

Youth ROC members organized in their schools for two weeks leading up to their school’s Speak-Out. They passed out flyers, hung posters, gave class presentations, and made phone calls. The focus was to not only to build attendance at the event, but also to get students thinking about issues in their school related to funding.

“The Speak-Outs are a great way to get more students involved in their schools and in the community,” Pulaski High School Senior and Youth ROC Organizing Team member Justin Witherspoon stated. “We have to show our peers that we care about our futures and that uniting around this issue can create change and be fun at the same time.”

Youth ROC members also recruited high school performers for the events. The students could rap, sing, dance, give a speech, or present spoken word on issues related to finance reform.

Rufus King High School kicked off the Speak-Outs on October 19 with over 100 young people in attendance. Ten performers articulated how budget cuts impact their lives while students in the audience waived signs that read “No Funding, No Future” and “Demand that Your Voices be Heard.” Over-crowded classes, lack of supplies and high student fees were among the issues discussed.

Speak Out! dancer at Vincent High School

Symphony Swan, a senior who helped organize the Speak-Out at King, was interviewed on WB 18 News, a local Milwaukee news channel. She said, “We need our state legislators to listen to the opinions of youth because we are living with the consequences of budget cuts every day. The only way we can create change in our schools is through public school funding reform and we need the State to do this.”

Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, who represents many of the students that attend Rufus King, was the only political official in attendance. He said he was very impressed with all of the performances and was proud that the youth in Milwaukee were uniting around education reform. “I will take all of your concerns and voices back to my colleagues,” Alderman Hamilton said, “Keep fighting and your voices will only get stronger.”

Executive Director of Urban Underground, Reggie Moore and Executive Director of WEAC Dan Burkhalter were also present and showed their support.

In early November, Pulaski and Vincent High Schools held their Speak-Outs with the same passion and success. Hundreds of student voices filled the air as they spoke out against deteriorating facilities, lack of technology and staff, and cuts in curriculum.

“More youth organized Speak-Outs are coming in Milwaukee and across the State,” said Vincent High School Senior Pachia Xiong. “The student experience is important and must be heard. Speak-Outs give youth an opportunity to tell their story and bring attention to the need for public school reform.”

[Back to top]