Voices of Advocates: Natasha Loya and Unpacking the Caste System in Schools

On this episode of amplifiED, Margaret Sullivan and Josh Crosson are joined by special guest Natasha Loya, a 22-year-old advocate from Minneapolis and Youth Engagement Director at Bridgemakers. Natasha shares her story of growing up in a chaotic household, her experiences in the education system, and the traumas that fed her passion for helping people. Natasha discusses her path to finding power in youth organizing to help heal trauma and make advances for justice. Josh, Margaret, and Natasha then discuss the issue of what adults, particularly police officers, SROs, and other adults in positions of power, can do to children in schools; a critical debate currently happening in Minnesota politics.

Trigger warning - Before this episode begins, we wanted to make our listeners aware that this episode discusses themes of suicide, abuse and personal trauma. We feel these issues are critical to address as we discuss complex issues facing equity, justice, education and advocacy but we also know that they might be difficult for some listeners to hear. If you need a moment during this, or any of our episodes, please take it. Take care of yourself, and if you need to, please reach out and ask for help.

Timestamps:

[00:00:01] Youth voices on school discipline policies.

[00:05:18] Black Latina fights for justice.

[00:13:14] Youth organizing to heal trauma.

[00:19:53] Adults protect kids from violence.

[00:22:50] Caste system control of black/brown bodies.

[00:27:53] Police violence against youth ignored.

[00:33:41] Police brutality on children: Traumatic for decades.

[00:36:35] Youth-led org Bridgemakers uplifts, researches, pays youth.

[00:40:38] It's okay to be broken; seek joy.

[00:44:26] Empowering youth to create change: BridgemakersMN.org

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

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Find Out More at EdAllies

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.