philadelphia's heroes: south philly high's protestors

Some cool news out of Philadelphia... The latest issue of Philadelphia magazine names the boycotting youth of South Philadelphia High School as it's 2010 Heroes of the Year: South Philly High's Protesters.

Everybody knows about the December 3 attacks during which Asian students were singled and beaten at school. But the real story is the courage of the teens who banded together to stand up to the violence -- and the administration that refused to do anything about it. Great to see them recognized for their efforts.

Here's some of the update I received from Helen Gym of Asian American United, the organization that's been at the forefront of community response to the violence at South Philadelphia High:

For nearly two years, youth and community advocates have been working to draw attention to rampant anti-Asian/anti-immigrant violence at South Philadelphia High School. Following an unprecedented day-long assault on more than two dozen Asian youth last December, more than 50 (and upwards to 70-80) Asian students at South Philadelphia participated in a formal eight-day boycott of their school, demanding change and moral leadership from a school and a District that had ignored their repeated cries for help.

They won many victories - including international attention to the failures of the District to responsibly address school violence and a new principal for Southern. At the same time, the violence and hostility at the school continued through the end of the school year, emboldened by the District's refusal to acknowledge or address the racial problems throughout the school. Community advocates documented at least a dozen incidents of assault and harassment from both students and staff. To date, District officials have still failed to meet with community advocates and students and families despite repeated requests about on-going violence and problems.

Last week, a Vietnamese parent filed a civil suit against the School District for injuries she suffered when she was attacked and beaten at the school almost a year before the December 3 violence: Vietnamese parent sues district, saying she was attacked at S. Philadelphia High.

It's just yet another instance pointing to something seriously wrong at South Philadelphia High School -- problems that the school district continues to neglect and fails to even acknowledge. And the community is just supposed to stand by and feel afraid? For more updates on the situation, go to the Asian Americans United website here.