Civil Rights team training ongoing

By Logan Buckley
SACS journalism student
    Civil rights violations, often confused with bullying, are motivated by bias. For most of the Southern Aroostook Community School students attending the civil rights team training in Presque Isle on Nov. 15, this idea created a new perspective.
    For an action to be considered a violation of civil rights, it must be motivated by a bias such as race/color, religion, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, gender, and/or sexual orientation. Calling someone gay, saying racial slurs, or reinforcing stereotypes are all actions considered to be violations of civil rights.
    The effects of civil rights violations on victims often impact not only the victim but the community as well. Hurtful actions leave the victims feeling depressed, giving them low self esteem, or even causing them to wish bodily harm to themselves or others. Harassment can cause violence in the school, ranging from hallway fights to threats on someone’s life. This can have long-lasting effects in the whole community as well.
    Joining students from Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Houlton, Caribou and Presque Isle, the SACS students learned how close to home the issue is as they listened to stories of violence or harassment that victims have endured within Aroostook County. Hearing the stories showed them that the issue is very real and very serious.
    After learning what civil rights are, and the impact of violations, students talked about what they could do to help create solutions, without acting simply as enforcers to punish violations; the SACS team’s focus is to help change how people view their actions so they understand the full consequences of their actions.
    Involvement is important; actions taken against civil rights violations show that there are measures being taken to provide a solution. These actions will also show the victim that there are people that support him/her and wish to make life easier. Not doing something to resolve the issue is as bad as condoning the misdeeds taking place.