Loudonville, NY (WRGB) -- With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching on Monday, hundreds of middle and high school students from across the Capital Region gathered at Siena College to continue Dr. King's mission of fighting discrimination and promoting social justice.
The 20th annual Students Together Opposing Prejudice (STOP) Conference brought together 250 students from 21 school districts to share their experiences and create action plans for combating prejudice in their schools and communities.
"It's important to honor Dr. King's legacy and continue to find ways to promote social justice in our communities," said Beth Martinez, Executive Director of Educate to Empower.
For many students, the topic of discrimination hits close to home. The STOP Conference encouraged students to push for systemic change, whether by addressing unconscious bias or speaking out against injustice.
"I've experienced racism my whole life -- been called the n-word, had rocks thrown at me, been beaten up, and had my shoes stolen," said Daniel Hall, a senior at Mohonasen High School. "At first, it really bothered me because I felt like there was nothing I could change. But I've learned not to let it define me. What I tell others is: you have the right to say what you want, but just know it does hurt people."
Others shared stories of bullying due to cultural or linguistic differences.
Rayshawn Barker, who moved to the United States from Guyana in third grade, said he struggled with the language barrier and was targeted for his accent and poor English skills.
"It was frustrating because I couldn't voice myself or show people who I really am," said Barker, now a senior at Mohonasen. "You're hurt, but it depends on how you deal with it. You can rage out and release your anger on the people making racist jokes, or you can address it in a more mature way."
While personal experiences of racism were at the forefront, students also emphasized the importance of allyship.
"Speaking out doesn't have to come from personal experience," said Kaydence Dolan, a sophomore at Mohonasen High School. "It's about standing up for others and being an ally."
In addition to listening to speakers and sharing stories, students collaborated on actionable steps to address prejudice in their communities. For instance, students from South Glens Falls High School drafted a plan to combat both racism and ableism -- bias against individuals with disabilities.
"I think ableism should be something we learn about in school and the community," said Michael Collura, a sophomore and student facilitator at Mohonasen High School. "A lot of people say it's been happening forever, but the time for change is now."
The conference aimed to provide a safe space for students to connect, share, and strategize. For many attendees, it was an opportunity to find their voice and feel heard.
"It was a little nerve-wracking at first," said Annabeth Borzymowski, a freshman at Mohonasen. "But it was great to get your voice out there and hear what other people had to say."
"These are people who want to learn, have these conversations, and share their ideas," added London Vasquez, another Mohonasen freshman.
Nearly a century after Dr. King's birth, the students and educators who attended the event say his message remains as relevant as ever.