2018 has become the year of the student walkout. Students from schools across America have
organized and participated in walkouts. These students have become upset with the lack of
government action after school shootings. A walkout is defined as leaving a place or event in
protest of something. The goal of the 2018 walkout is to draw attention to the issue of guns in
America. They hope to make government officials take steps to solve problems with guns.
As a current student, you may not know that student walkouts have a
long and interesting history in America. You’re probably not old enough
to vote in elections. But history shows that you can still make changes in
society.
Farmville, Virginia, 1951
Sixteen-year-old Barbara Johns grew up going to schools that
separated students by race. In Virginia, black and white students
were sent to different schools. They were not equal schools.
By the time Barbara got to high school, she was fed up with bad school
conditions. Her school had too many students and not enough money for
books. Students did not have enough room or enough supplies to learn. Classes
were held in tar paper shacks, and the school district never kept its promise to build a better building.
Barbara spoke in front of all 450 of her
classmates. She convinced them to walk out
in protest of their school conditions. This
walkout led to a major Supreme Court case. The
Brown V Board of Education Supreme Court
ruling that said that sending students to
different schools based on their race is
unconstitutional, or against the law.
Los Angeles, California, 1968
Mexican-American students in 1968 Los
Angeles were not being treated fairly at
school. They were not allowed to speak
Spanish at school. Their lessons and books did
not include Mexican-American history and
culture. Schools were kept in poor condition.
Students were not allowed to use the restroom
during lunch. Teachers and counselors did not
encourage Mexican-American students to go
to college. Instead, they directed them to
manual labor jobs.
The students became fed up with these conditions. They were tired of being treated differently
based on their ethnic background.
The walkouts began at Garfield High School. Hundreds of students walked out chanting “Viva la
revolución.” The police were called. Organizers were arrested. But the walkouts soon spread to
nearby schools. 22,000 students walked out before the event was over. Many Mexican-American
youth decided to become more active in the larger Mexican-American movement for equal rights.
This movement is often referred to as the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. Chicano is a word some
Mexican-Americans use to describe themselves. It became a popular term during the 1960s to
show pride in their culture. Student participants went on to found the Chicano Studies Research
Center at the University of California in Los Angeles.
Are Walkouts Allowed?
Student walkouts are becoming popular again. Many students and teachers might be wondering if
a walkout breaks school rules, and if students
can or should be punished for participating
Students should know that the Supreme
Court-- the highest court in America-- has said
that students have the right to express their
opinions in school as long as learning or safety
is not disrupted. However, the court did not
say students have the right to leave school. So
students should know that leaving school for a
walkout could earn them the same punishment
as just skipping class.
Regardless of the possible punishment, we
have probably not seen the end of student
walkouts in America. Students will likely
continue to use this strategy to get involved in
important political issues that affect their lives.