Adults at the Laboratory Schools often create platforms to talk about social justice and identity-based issues, but students organized the Becoming Racially Aware and Valuing Ethnicity conference May 15, which provided a space to talk about race alongside people who are interested and willing to engage in conversation about these conflicts.

The first-ever conference was attended by 40 high school and 25 middle school students. According to Destiney Williamson, lead

student organizer, the goal was to “help encourage discussions about race, and have a circle for people of color and allies to learn more about each other and ourselves.”

Following opening ceremonies and speaker Arji Markati, students attended three student-led workshops on topics from activities on privilege to discussions about the difference between racism and prejudice. 

“After two years at Lab, I decided I want to be a part of the discussion about social justice issues more actively,” sophomore Rithik Puri, a participant in the conference, said. “I’m hesitant to get involved in a discussion if I haven’t read up on it… so having this experience, to feel a little bit more versed in these issues, expands each of our abilities to talk about them in the future.”

Freshman An Ngo said attending the conference helped her realize “that many other students are thinking about the same things I am, in regards to their role and place in terms of diversity at Lab.”