Other Voices

Activists Savanna Jiang, left, and Maxine Alpart, right, both Guilderland High School sophomores, organized a May 21 anti-hate rally at their school. In this week’s podcast, each reads the speech — powerful words about painful and true experiences — she gave at the rally and talks about the kind of change they believe is needed. “Our school likes to say stuff but doesn’t take action,” said Jiang. However, once they spoke out about their pain, they felt “so much love” in return from the 100 or so in the crowd on May 21 who applauded and cheered. Jiang’s French teacher hugged her and said she hadn’t known what Jiang had suffered until she heard her speech. Alpart named a long list of students and advisors who helped with the rally. During the pandemic, and the forced isolation that came with it, the activists said, separate people came together through social media, not just in Guilderland but from far-flung places, like New Zealand and Hawaii. “You can meet people and spread awareness,” said Jiang. Alpart said that silence can be worse than a negative response. “Allies need to be there,” she said, noting that, if someone shows up, that person can be shown how their opinions are harmful. Alpart said their motto has become, “This is just the beginning.” The two activists along with other students at Guilderland are now hoping to organize a larger rally with neighboring schools in Albany and Niskayuna. “The change is going to happen,” said Alpart, urging people to “be on the right side of history.”