MRH principal, student talk race relations on National Public Radio

National Public Radio reporter Renee Montagne spoke with Maplewood Richmond Heights Principal Kevin Grawer and senior Jazmen Bell Monday morning about an MRH program, Student Group on Race Relations (SGORR). Monday was MRH’s first day of school following the civil unrest in Ferguson last week.

Grawer and Bell gave Montagne examples of how the group, which meets Thursdays at 7 a.m, has helped start conversations that can lead to improved race relations at the school.

Montagne asked Bell if Ferguson has effected daily conversations, and Bell said it has “caused people to stop and think a lot deeper about about things that they say and do about other people.”

She told about once when she was at a lunch table of all black girls, and a new girl, who was white, was looking for a place to sit. Bell said she wanted to invite her to sit with them, but didn’t because she didn’t know if the girl would be comfortable sitting at a table of black girls.

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“It’s a shame I had to think that way,” Bell said, “but it’s really made me realize how big these feelings can be, even though they’re so small. No one questions those feelings until they come to a group like SGORR.”

Grawer told about a student who said wanted to go to the group, but the boy said he was too militant and they couldn’t handle him. Grawer said he went, and got his point across respectfully. He said sometimes there are disagreements, but the group becomes tighter.

Listen to the full report on National Public Radio.

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