My life was saved four years ago when I stepped into my ninth grade Pre-AP U.S. History class – taught by Mr. Michael Vargas.
I met Mr. Vargas shortly after several life-changing events. My mother’s breast cancer had reemerged and my father had a severe stroke. I was left to take care of my seven siblings with little financial support. My motivation in school had begun to dwindle, and, honestly, I was close to losing hope and giving up.
In the middle of this, Mr. Vargas taught me about social justice and the role African Americans played in social movements.
Mr. Vargas was Latino, but believed that African-American history played a critical role in all of our lives. I valued that someone who did not look like me was immersed in black history and knew that it did not begin with slavery.
He fostered a profound love of knowledge and appreciation for learning about the U.S. government and the ways in which the political process can bring about substantial change for those who need it most.
Last summer – shortly after my mother died from breast cancer – the killing of Michael Brown Jr. thrust my community of St. Louis and Ferguson into utter chaos. Using the knowledge Mr. Vargas taught me four years ago, I was able to channel my frustration into social activism.
I became involved in the Ferguson Movement, organizing demonstrations inside and outside of schools, youth voter registration drives, community service, and pursuing policy reforms in the Missouri Legislature and the U.S. Congress.
In my high school, I recently finished an innovative Black History Month program that focused on sharing the narratives of students who were affected by Ferguson and coming up with solutions for racial and community healing. There was a lot of pain felt by students, and the program allowed for dialogue to be openly exchanged, regardless of opinion.
We raised over $2,000 for the Ferguson Burger Bar – a black-owned business on West Florissant Avenue that uses funds to directly help the underprivileged youth in Ferguson. I plan to organize several more community service projects within the Ferguson area and to launch my own community outreach program.
Through all of my experiences of tear gas, rubber bullets and personal challenges, I still remember the hope a teacher instilled in me. A hope that the education and political system still works. A hope that starts with youth and their relationships with teachers. Teachers like Mr. Vargas embody the power of that hope.
Next year, I plan to attend Howard University. I want to eventually return home to continue to strengthen my community by practicing law, continuing in activism, or even becoming a teacher through a program like Teach For America as Mr. Vargas did.
My education, which was once threatened and then inspired by a caring and motivating educator, has become the foundation of my present day and the bedrock of my future opportunities.
Clifton Kinnie is a 12th grade student activist at Lutheran High School North.
