On Feb. 20, the No Place for Hate Committee hosted the signing of the Resolution of Respect in students’ gym periods. The signing took up the entirety of the gym period and offered a way for the study body to get involved in the No Place for Hate Movement.
The Resolution of Respect is a pledge that asks students to respect their peers and strive to end hate and discrimination. The Resolution is as follows:
I will seek to gain understanding of those who are different from me.
I will speak out against prejudice and discrimination.
I will reach out to support those who are targets of hate.
I will promote respect for people and help foster a prejudice-free school.
I believe that one person can make a difference; no person can be an “innocent” bystander when it comes to opposing hate.
I recognize that respecting individual dignity and promoting intergroup harmony are the responsibilities of all students.
The signing is a necessary step for Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School to become a No Place for Hate School. It was the third event that the No Place for Hate Committee has hosted this year.
The event started with an introduction from committee members reminding students what the No Place for Hate Movement is. The committee members then explained the Resolution of Respect before calling down students to sign the banner.
The student body has coincided with the No Place for Hate Movement and made it more than a one-time thing. Students have learned about inclusion and now believe that Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School is a safer place.
“Before the movement, it was hard to think about the racism and bigotry in our school,” sophomore Charlie Coolidge said. “But now, I feel safe. I think other students feel safer as well.”
The movement has also brought the school together and reminded students of the power of standing together.
“I learned to be more accepting,” freshman Ethan Koseoglu said. “After I saw all of the signatures on the banner, I realized how united this school is.”
 
 
Photos courtesy of Sophia Iacona