Igniting Change:Asquith Clarke II and Tackling the Shortcomings of Public Education in the U.S.
August 24, 2021 by Noor Amanullah
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What are the first steps to solving generational, systemic social justice issues? For Connecting with Humanity co-leader Asquith Clarke II, the healing process begins with truth.
Since he was a child, Asquith has been passionate about helping people. Initially dreaming of saving lives as a doctor, Asquith is pursuing a career as a truth-teller, which, in his own words, is “embracing and learning about the full history of my ancestors that isn't whitewashed.” As a truth-teller, Asquith hopes to advocate for diverse, inclusive, and equitable education globally.
A recent high school graduate, Asquith understands the shortcomings of public education in the U.S., and how disparities in education affect students personally. He has experienced the difference between his under-resourced school in Brooklyn, New York, and the violence and lack of motivation present there, and the opportunities and unique challenges at better-funded suburban schools in New Jersey. In Brooklyn, he recalls, “there was just so much work and so little guidance… you were trying to succeed in a system that was ultimately trying to fail you.”
Coming out of high school, Asquith hopes to address the fundamental issues in the public school system. These goals connect directly to his passion for truth-telling. Both in education and social justice environments, Asquith believes that the first step toward healing is acknowledging trauma and the reality of our history. “If we want to change the future,” he says, “we have to understand our past.”
Asquith’s vision of an aware and engaged school system and public is clear in his work with Connecting With Humanity, where he advocates for an inclusive, supportive, and research-based organization. He hopes the group’s content and programming can ignite change while serving justice to the movements and histories it shares, and avoid reinforcing any harms or issues the group intends to aid in solving.
Since he was a child, Asquith has been passionate about helping people. Initially dreaming of saving lives as a doctor, Asquith is pursuing a career as a truth-teller, which, in his own words, is “embracing and learning about the full history of my ancestors that isn't whitewashed.” As a truth-teller, Asquith hopes to advocate for diverse, inclusive, and equitable education globally.
A recent high school graduate, Asquith understands the shortcomings of public education in the U.S., and how disparities in education affect students personally. He has experienced the difference between his under-resourced school in Brooklyn, New York, and the violence and lack of motivation present there, and the opportunities and unique challenges at better-funded suburban schools in New Jersey. In Brooklyn, he recalls, “there was just so much work and so little guidance… you were trying to succeed in a system that was ultimately trying to fail you.”
Coming out of high school, Asquith hopes to address the fundamental issues in the public school system. These goals connect directly to his passion for truth-telling. Both in education and social justice environments, Asquith believes that the first step toward healing is acknowledging trauma and the reality of our history. “If we want to change the future,” he says, “we have to understand our past.”
Asquith’s vision of an aware and engaged school system and public is clear in his work with Connecting With Humanity, where he advocates for an inclusive, supportive, and research-based organization. He hopes the group’s content and programming can ignite change while serving justice to the movements and histories it shares, and avoid reinforcing any harms or issues the group intends to aid in solving.
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