Special Series

Youth Sound Off: Racism and Police Brutality

Between COVID-19 and the widely publicized incidents of police brutality in the U.S., the summer of 2020 was highly charged. We reached out to young people with systems experience across the country to see what they were thinking about and what their experiences had been when it comes to racism and policing in America. These are their stories.

Youth Voice writer Tatiana Lemire offers advice on resources for foster youth interested in pursuing college.

10/27/2020

Our Whole System Must Change

Tatiana Lemire

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Tatiana Lemire I took interest in social justice after being exposed to protesting. I was only 15 years old in 2016 when Philando Castile was murdered by the police during a routine traffic stop in my city.

Foster Youth Are Not Pawns for a Pro-Life Agenda

10/27/2020

When the Thin Blue Line Breaks: Racial Divide in America

Nileh Irsan

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Nileh Irsan From a young age, we are taught that the men in blue are our friends, protectors and allies.

10/27/2020

Abolishing the Police Is Not the Answer

Silas Rosfield

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Silas Rosfield This year, 2020, has been hard for everyone; between coronavirus and fighting for equality, the world hasn’t had a moment to stop and breathe.

10/27/2020

I Have Never Known Life Without Police Brutality

Ivory Bennett

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Ivory Bennett One of the most impactful experiences with police brutality for me is intertwined in generational trauma.

From Incarcerated to Resilient

10/27/2020

My Human Rights Were Stripped

Daniel Bisuano

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Daniel Bisuano Racism, sexism and police brutality have been a constant in my life. I remember from a very young age the cops would harass me, constantly trying to find any reason to make an arrest. 

Improving Mental Health Services From Within the Foster Care System

10/27/2020

Racism is a Familiar Fear

Aliyah Zeien

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Aliyah Zeien Racism and inequality have plagued this nation for hundreds of years. Racism here in the South is a familiar fear.

10/27/2020

Real Power is Within Us

Z

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Z “I can’t breathe” are the words uttered by George Floyd, Eric Garner and many other individuals whose lives who have been taken, stolen, by those charged with the duty to “protect and serve.”

10/27/2020

In My Community, You Don’t Call the Cops

Gabbie Rodriguez

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Gabbie Rodriguez Although I now live in Harlem, I grew up in Ridgewood, New York, a small, immigrant neighborhood where the adults often left the children to fend for themselves as they ventured into the city for work.

10/27/2020

Protesting Matters

Alexis Obinna

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Alexis Obinna I have always dealt with racial inequality and police harassment. When I was 15 I used to have blue hair, and my foster sister had red hair.

10/27/2020

My First Experience with Cops

Fabian Tolan

Current and former foster youth weigh in on racism and police brutality. By Fabian Tolan I grew up in Bakersfield, Calif. as a foster child, youth, and young adult. Being that I grew up in foster care I was not always shown the right path, so I was susceptible to making bad friends.