Shaylah Jones leaned forward in her chair as she posed a question to Lieutenant Mike Murphy Jr. of the Akron Police Department: “Why do officers tend to use threats to deescalate situations?”
If you don’t stop, we’ll put you down… we’ll arrest you.
Murphy explained that while there are times when swift action is more appropriate than passive — when lives are immediately in danger — he agreed in general with Jones, a sophomore at Buchtel Community Learning Center.
“We do need to do a better job of being more patient, and, when the opportunity presents itself to be more patient, deescalate, take the time to do that,” Murphy said during a Saturday panel discussion, part of the MLK Youth Symposium held at East Community Learning Center. Jones also sat on the panel.
The moment encapsulated several days of Akron-area teenagers and young adults sharing frustrations and desires about a myriad of issues during events celebrating the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. — from poverty and health disparities to guns and police interactions.
These future leaders pleaded for more places to enjoy themselves inside Akron’s city limits; more resources to better access and navigate programs that send them to college; better communication with police officers and teachers.
They want school to feel like school, not detention.
“I’m only 15; I’m going to have bad days,” said Jones, the middle child of six children.
On Monday, Moses Bader, a sophomore at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, said his peers deserve opportunities to have their voices heard.
“Kids see things in a completely different perspective than adults,” Bader said after taking a break from organizing dry goods in preparation for a food pantry distribution event at Sarah’s House. “Because adults, just by nature, become very task oriented, like keeping people safe. While kids can be more creative with ideas.”
Here are some of their perspectives.
Simon Cung (age 16) of North High School
Gun violence: “I don’t get why they’re using guns to bring violence onto others when I’m guessing what the original laws protecting guns were about defending yourself. And I don’t see much defending themselves; I just see people doing stuff for revenge or to harm others.”
Homelessness/poverty: “We should try to get everyone fed, get everyone a home so they can live their best lives.”
Jasmine Falconer (age 16) of Archbishop Hoban High School
Racial and economic disparities: “Women’s rights issues are important to me because, personally, I’ve had family who have experienced different health issues.”
Kaiden Bevly-Pittman (age 15)
Cleaner communities: “We should keep our streets clean from trash and dirt and debris. It’s not great to see that on the street when you’re driving by.”
