Congratulations to Monroe-Woodbury Middle School eighth grade student Mia Lynn Crovetta, winner of The Jewish Federation of Great Orange County’s Stop the Hate Challenge essay contest. Winning entries this year were poems based on the topic: “Agents of Positive Change.” Mia wrote about Ida B. Wells in her poem: “Freedom of Speech, at What Cost?” and read her poem on April 26 at the Stop the Hate Symposium at Washington High School.
Twenty-two Monroe-Woodbury Middle School students and their teachers attended the 2022 Symposium, which was sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, the Washingtonville High School Social Studies Department, and the Mid-Hudson Social Studies Council. Middle school students, high school students, educators and administrators from school districts across the county gathered to learn about “Scandinavia During the Holocaust: The Impact of Leadership and What We Can Learn by Modeling Agents of Positive Change.”
Freedom of Speech, at What Cost?
By Mia Lynn Crovetta
The First Amendment, manipulated and exploited since the day
James Madison's fingers grasped the pen that wrote the Bill of Rights.
The notion that freedom of speech does not equal freedom of consequences is here to stay,
Even if we have to stand hand in hand, forced to engage in fights.
Some still believe that this idea is a complete, blatant lie.
As if one of these individuals is having falsehoods planted in their mind.
So they take to social media to whine and cry.
Unaware of how hilariously ironic they sound, how blind.
Ida B. Wells is among those in history who know without a doubt
That this freedom granted to all does not permit hate speech.
Her goal in life being to silence those who decide to pout,
Who desire to spread hate, who you can compare to a leech.
This undeniable hate being based on how diverse
Someone is, whether it has to do with their religion or skin.
This hate has existed worldwide for years, and has only gotten worse.
Though some translate it into words, and say them with a grin.
Wells responded to racist lies backed by prejudice
By reporting what she had witnessed and heard.
She wanted to put an absolute emphasis
On what these ignorant people had slurred.
Even after Well's voice was being suppressed,
Her goal remained and she continued to speak out.
She needed to honor those lost and so she progressed.
A change was going to be made, so yes she did shout.
Wells made this change, though it took quite a lot.
She helped advance the topic of rights for a minority,
Giving them something they never had before, a shot.
A shot at being recognized, as someone with authority.
Although I am still a minor and continuing to grow,
I still have seen The effects of hate speech on both my friends and peers.
A Jewish friend being targeted, with others cringing at the scene,
A classmate whose skin color has been commented on for years.
With a woman like Wells who has inspired me,
I will take advantage of the voice that I possess.
Informing others and making a change is completely free.
I, as a role model in my community, will experience success.
Mia Lynn Crovetto, 8th grader at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School, with her parents, her teacher, Ms. Kristen Carter, and Federation Executive Director Wendy Cedar.