This week we welcome back Lilian Smith. She is a Coeur d’Alene high school student who spoke at the Club about her nonprofit, Growing the STEM* initiative. However, that is not why she is visiting with us. In fact, Lilian recently wrote an OPED that has put her back in the spotlight. The article is entitled How Black Lives Matter is speaking change to my deep red Idaho town. The LA Times published the article on June 9, 2020. Lilian does not claim to have all the answers, but she does offer a fresh perspective on the current protest movement and insight into the shifting views on our country’s legacy of systemic racism.Lilian is a very gifted young lady with an amazing future ahead of her. To get an understanding of her point of view on Black Lives Matter, please read her article. Also, as she joins our meeting and talks about her article, please present your questions in the framework of finding solutions. You may recall the music of the rock group Buffalo Springfield. Their pop hit For What It’s Worth includes the line “young people speaking their minds/getting so much resistance from behind.” Use these lyrics as a reminder that we are the adults in the room. Therefore, please do not expect Miss Smith to provide all the answers. Right now, just be prepared to listen.
* STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines for science, technology, engineering, and math.
Join us this Friday online for another Democratic Club. If you are not on our list to receive the meeting invitation, please email your request to rmiranda2265@gmail.com. He will be happy to add you to the list.
