One hundred students attended the first annual Social Justice Read-In and Coffeehouse, abbreviated SJRI, on April 12, sponsored by the Livingston High School chapter of the National English Honor Society (NEHS).
The event highlighted literature from the many cultures that make up Livingston’s cultural tapestry, said Romeela Anand, who founded and coordinated the event.
“It promoted the recognition of diverse voices, especially when some of these works are being banned around the country,” she said.
SJRI featured booths from high school cultural organizations including the AAPI Youth Alliance, Black Student Union, Muslim Student Association, Italian Club, Eastern European Club, Christian Club, LHS NOW, and Women in Entrepreneurship and Stem. In addition to exploring booths to learn about marginalized authors, cultural literary movements and diverse books, students performed original written works in an Open Mic.
The SJRI provided a platform for these cultural organizations and NEHS students to highlight their cultures through literature, explained Anand. “
I envision this event as a catalyst for change,” Anand said.
The event also featured musical entertainment from the LHS Jazz Improv Band and LHS vocalists Jasmine Wang, Joanna Liu and Antonia Chaparro.
The student-run event was open to the whole community, said Michael Sunga, NEHS co-advisor, “and aimed to celebrate a diversity of authors, styles, and movements. All participants were given a platform to witness the profound impact of language outside the context of the classroom. Our Social Justice Read-In was a powerful reminder that our words do indeed combat discrimination, foster empathy, and shape the world.”
The English Honor Society dedicated this year to “celebrating the virtues of diversity and inclusion in literature, highlighting the contributions of underrepresented communities in the literary canon,” added NEHS president Nishna Makala.
Members were committed to sharing their perspectives through the Open Mic and multicultural presentations.
Harsh Raju, co-chairman of the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, added that the event was well represented by LHS cultural clubs and members of the community. “Access to multi-culturally-themed books and books on diversity offers meaningful opportunities towards building an inclusive community through shared stories,” he said.
Many school and township figures attended, including Mayor Al Anthony. “Similar to what we strive for at the town level, it was heartwarming to be invited to a celebration of diversity,” he said.
Master Pizza, Turano’s Pizza Kitchen and Livingston Bagel helped sponsor the event.
