As the school season ended in late June, I decided to host my own presentation at my local high school, Pascack Valley. In Pascack Valley, we have a free 80 minute period every Wednesday, named “Pascack Period.” During this time, students can attend many different classes or presentations that seem interesting to them. So, I decided to host my presentation on Wednesday, June 8th. In order to promote my school presentation, morning announcements were made regarding this presentation during that week. I also made flyers, and posted them all over the school in order for this presentation to get a substantial audience. I decided to host this presentation through my school’s Human Rights League, (that was recently recognized with a Bergen County racial justice award) to show that Indian farmer suicides is, in fact, a humanitarian crisis.
My presentation went extremely well, with a decent amount of audience members. Many students, as well as teachers, were moved by my presentation, considering that they were unaware about such issues that were so prevalent across the globe. What shocked them even more, was the relevance and the connection that we all, as first-world citizens, have to these farmer suicides. I explained to my fellow peers and teachers that without this farmers, we would never have fresh produce for everyday meals or natural fibers for clothing. When I told them that many farmers did not want their children to become farmers, they were shocked, when I explained to them a world without farmers, would be a world without natural foods and fibers.
Students as well as teachers donated to Save Indian Farmers, but what really made me feel proud and warm inside, was when they told me they explained this crisis to their families at home. Such dinner-time discussions are crucial in order for a REAL change to happen regarding the plight of farmers.
Additionally, there was an article written about my presentation in my school’s online newspaper: The Smoke Signal.
In the upcoming school year, I hope to host a school-wide event to promote awareness about this issue as well as a local community event, where community members and I can come together to solve this issue.
