On April 16th 2024, BCS 10th grade student Miariam Khalil was one of several New York City high school students invited meet with the Mayor Eric Adams and his team in City Hall. The meeting was held in honor of Arab American Heritage Month. This month takes place in April and celebrates the heritage and culture of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans throughout the past and present, and recognizes their invaluable contributions.
The meeting dove deeper into global issues and provided the opportunity for each student to share their identity and what’s its like to be a Muslim in New York City. We discussed our different stories, showing that even within a single group, individual identities and experiences vary. I felt very safe talking about my personal experiences and stories, knowing that others faced similar issues. We talked about different stereotypes held against us as Muslims as well as how our school community treats us.
I shared that BCS treats every student as a whole, giving us the opportunity to speak without fear. I explained in great depth how our counselors, teachers, and our school leaders ensure a welcoming community for students. I also talked about crew and how it is a safe space for us to be ourselves and to share our thoughts, our feelings, and our identity. Knowing that BCS always guides and supports their students led me to be more open and honest with my voice. I know that knowing I can always speak up and try to make a difference.
It was an honor to be invited to meet with Mayor Adams and his team. I felt comfortable and was proud of myself for being able to speak out for my community and myself.
