CCHS alumni create community group, organize march
I’d like to preface by saying there were two things that made it challenging for me to write about Sunday’s “March on Main Street” demonstration.
First, the constant noise of passing cars and motorcycles drowning out the voices of the 20 speakers at the Village Bandstand, even though they used a bullhorn. This had many of us in attendance straining to hear what was being said. Unfortunately, it also meant that I didn’t catch everyone’s name.
The other challenge is how to effectively explain the emotional intensity of the event. I fully admit my recollection won’t do it justice, nor capture the passion and severity of the speeches. Nevertheless, I have done my best…
“The fantastic four”
Sunday’s “March on Main Street” event was organized by Make A Difference Cornwall, a fledgling community group started by four Cornwall Central High School alumni. Wesley Jean-Pierre, Kobie Thomas and Quinn Zsido (Class of 2015) joined with Tamera Dorcinville (Class of 2018) to form a grass roots initiative dedicated to addressing and resolving prejudices, micro-aggressions, and racism in the Cornwall community.
“Three of us were in a group chat discussing the racist content being posted on a Cornwall Facebook page,” Zsido explained.
Understandably upset, the foursome were determined to do something about it. After speaking with Aidan O’Brien, organizer of Cornwall’s Black Lives Matter march on June 4, they realized they needed to create something with lasting impact. Something that could gain momentum. Not just an event but a movement.
And so, Make A Difference Cornwall was born.
“We want to be a template for creating change, to inspire others to pick up the movement,” Jean-Pierre explained.
Zsido went on to say, “We call Cornwall our home but have different experiences of what that means.”
“As a black woman, I see these young girls and don’t want them to experience the same things I did,” said Dorcinville.
“We just wanted our voices to be heard – let’s do this!” added Thomas excitedly.
The group hit the ground running. Not only did they pound the pavement, distributing hundreds of fliers for Sunday’s demonstration, they quickly set up a website, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
March on Main Street
It was an ideal day for protesting. Sunny but with a refreshing breeze, it made the march from Cornwall Plaza, on Quaker Avenue, to the Village Bandstand, in Cornwall-on-Hudson, an easy one
Spectators along the sidewalks made gestures of solidarity with the demonstrators (some even joined the march), while drivers honked their horns in support. When adult protestors took a breather from leading chants, children jumped right in to lead new ones. In fact, three little girls on bicycles – one with a sign reading “Black Lives Matter” attached to the handlebars – circled the parking lot of St. Thomas of Canterbury Church and shouted along with the group.
The demonstrators had a police escort and even ventured around Rings Pond while en route to the bandstand. Once there, the crowd spread out, all still wearing protective face masks – a reminder that despite current events, the COVID-19 pandemic is, in fact, still a threat.
What followed next was a marathon session of stories shared by people of color. Some fought back tears, some were visibly shaking but all found the courage to speak their truth. Despite the unpleasant – no, gruelling – challenge of reliving various traumas, one speaker after another recounted their experiences in Cornwall.
But as each speaker raised the bullhorn to their lips, what became apparent to me, as I’m sure it was to many others in attendance, is that the experiences of each one were similar, if not wholly identical, to that of the others. One speaker after another recounted being singled out in class, especially during lessons about slavery. The micro-aggressions from classmates and even trusted faculty. Many had anxiety-inducing run-ins with local law enforcement that left them shaken.
The tragic death of George Floyd, asphyxiated by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, has been a source of grief and outrage both nationwide and right here in Cornwall.
“Mothers and fathers are waiting for their children to return home that are never coming back.”
As one speaker said, “When I saw the video of George Floyd calling for his mom, I didn’t see just a 40-something-year-old man but the good friends standing by me today, my 15-year-old brother and my dad (a 9/11 first responder).”
Another left the crowd with the somber reminder that “mothers and fathers are waiting for their children to return home that are never coming back.” And another proclaimed, “Our music is loved. Our culture is loved. But our people aren’t loved.”
One particular complaint heard several times was about a lack of diversity in the Cornwall education system. Not only is there a frustrating lack of people of color in teaching, administration and leadership roles but meaningful representation in the curriculum as well.
As a graduating CCHS Class of 2020 senior put it, “I learned more about black history on social media than I did in Cornwall schools,” before adding, “one picture on the wall isn’t enough for Black History Month.” Another young woman reminded the audience that “white children need to learn about black history. Black history is also American history.”
“There’s black history but there’s also black future.”
But amidst the anger there was hope. Several speakers applauded the younger generations taking the initiative to fight for change. As one put it so succinctly, “There’s black history but there’s also black future.”
Over and over, those gathered – especially white allies – were encouraged to do the right thing, to speak up against racism and injustice, to have the uncomfortable conversations with friends and family.
“Your voice needs to be heard. By speaking up, that’s how change is going to happen.” While another speaker reminded the audience, “If you see something happening to someone else’s child, you better step up!”
An important point to remember, as one gentleman said, is that “a line has been drawn. Not saying something is saying something. All of the onus shouldn’t be on black people to do all of the talking. Challenge your friends to move from complacency to being actively pro-justice.”
And to those who consider themselves allies to people of color, another speaker reminded the crowd:
“Allyship is active.
Allyship is a journey.
Allyship is understanding anti-racism.”
That is, it’s a dedicated, prolonged effort, not a “one and done” protest. It’s not just calling out racism but uprooting that hateful weed and preventing its growth. Otherwise, as one young man stated, “It’s a cycle. We can’t keep making these same speeches every five years.”
Furthermore, Cornwall- on-Hudson Mayor Brendan Coyne and former CCHS principal Frank Sheboy also took time to speak to the crowd, expressing support for the movement and calling for justice. As Dr. Sheboy said, “I stand with you against injustice…our actions, not our words, will decide what the future looks like for future generations.”
However, there are two lines, from two different speakers that still echo in my mind as I write this:
“Freedom is the birthright of all people,” and
“We’re not saying anything crazy – we’re talking about the rights of human beings.”
I ask you, the reader, to take some time and reflect on these ideas.
