Asean Johnson, 9-year-old Chicago activist, talks Education Nation
theGRIO REPORT - Asean Johnson, a nine-year-old education activist, joined MSNBC's 'The Ed Show' to talk about Education Nation and the need for more educational resources.
Asean Johnson, a 9-year-old education activist, joined MSNBC’s The Ed Show to talk about Education Nation and the need for more educational resources.
Johnson first received national attention in May when he spoke at a rally in Chicago after 54 elementary schools around the city were slated to close.
A video of his speech went viral and he has since spoken at multiple events, including the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans and his most recent appearance at Education Nation in New York.
Johnson’s school was one of the few that were spared from closing.
“It’s been very sensational because as you know our school stayed open,” Johnson said about returning to school this fall.
Commenting on school resources, Johnson explained his school received iPads for educational use, saying they have had a positive impact.
“I see a lot of youth standing up and fighting back for what they deserve and that’s resources,” Asean’s mother and Chicago Public Schools activist Shoneice Reynolds said. “I’m seeing a lot of students standing up all over Chicago.”
Reynolds agreed with the show’s host Ed Schultz when he related schools’ lack of resources directly to lack of funding.
“We’re looking at a disinvestment in public schools all over the city of Chicago and an increase in charter schools,” Reynolds said. “This is really waking up everyone with the 50 school closings and then the announcement of new schools coming in without investing in the schools that are already in existence.”
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.
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