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Using their voices: Students share their activism

University students assume a unique role in movements for civil rights and social justice. While protests across the United States this year have been remarkable for their diversity — embraced by several generations and people who claim diverse identities — students remain critical voices in leadership. Meet nine Ohio State students taking action for justice, peace and equality.

Collage of Zoom square faces with OSU black O in top right corner

Matthew Stoessner, Jasmine Hilton

Headshot of Eyako Heh, a Black man with glasses, smiling

Eyako Heh

Fourth-year studying political science  

In July, he wrote a guest column in The Columbus Dispatch.

“What I really wanted to convey was that there’s a want in the community to divest from law enforcement and reallocate resources toward other avenues, specifically on campus. We have to be there for our Black and minoritized students and faculty, and other members of the campus community, by addressing these demands.”

Headshot of Joseph Oteng, a Black man smiling

Joseph Oteng

Second-year law student  

Creator of Youthful Life Workshops, Instagrams at @drjotengii

“This summer, I spent a lot of time building a series of workshops and videos and infographics to educate people on anti-racism, allyship and social justice. How can I welcome people to a conversation that they’ve always been invited to in ways that are accessible, with grace and kindness, and provides them the space and time to cultivate that sense of racial literacy?”

An image of Ose Arheghan, a Black person with glasses

Ose Arheghan

Third-year studying political science and Chinese

Chair of the newly formed Undergraduate Black Caucus

“A lot of the students who are on the front lines organizing on Ohio State’s campus, we’re not just Black, we’re queer Black students, or we’re Black students with disabilities or we’re Black students who have mental health issues. We alI hold multiple identities. I think that when we’re talking about justice, it really is important to acknowledge that we’re talking about justice for all.”

Headshot of Rachel Thurman, a woman with nose and ear piercings wearing a green jacket

Rachel Thurman

Fourth-year studying political science

Activist and organizer

“The first protest I went to — a little crazy, but it felt really good. It got me really motivated knowing that there are tons of people who are willing to be active in this movement. I’ve been spending the last couple weeks organizing an event that celebrates the voices of Black women and members of the LGBTQ-plus community. My parents have always told me, ‘Use your voice.’ What’s the worst that could happen? Someone says no?”

Headshot of Jessica Kavinsky, a white woman with short hair and red lipstick

Jessica Kavinsky

Fourth-year studying German and international studies

Activist, organizer and curator of TEDxOSU

“That first Thursday night was the first time I’ve ever been face-to-face with someone who wanted to do violence to me. I was looking the cop in the eye and it was the first time I’ve ever feared like that. That was a privilege, to never have experienced that before. Since that night, it’s kind of just been like, trying to just do my part that I can as a white person, to use my privilege to help the movement.”

Headshot of Keji Latio, a Black woman smiling

Keji Latio

Third-year studying respiratory therapy

Vice Chair of Student Experience, Undergraduate Black Caucus

“People most know me for my bakery. It’s been a hobby, but then it kind of turned into a community commitment thing when I realized I have this talent and when I share it with other people, they really enjoy it. We were able to raise $4,000 for the Louisville Community Bail Fund in about nine days. [It] was exciting to see how one hobby can mobilize a lot of change.”

Headshot of Roaya Higazi, a woman of color wearing a hijab

Roaya Higazi

Fourth-year studying city and regional planning

Undergraduate Student Government president, signatory of a letter demanding Ohio State break ties with Columbus Police

“It was really important to push our university to be accountable. A lot of times student government plays an apolitical role … To me, and through my lived experiences, this isn’t political. This is something that every Black student at our university experiences. It’s a fear that they carry with them.”

Headshot of Morgan McDonald, a woman with long dark curly hair

Morgan McDonald

Third-year studying art education

Activist, organizer and artist

“I’ve been doing a lot of educating myself and putting that back into art. I just want people to pause for a moment. Where people look at it and kind of stop and they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe I really need to reconsider that view I have.’ Because if you hate someone, or you have disdain toward someone, and you don’t change that feeling, then you’re just going to continue acting on that hate.”

Headshot of Amna Rustom, a woman of color with long dark hair

Amna Rustom

Fourth-year studying strategic communication

Cincinnati for Justice! co-founder

“In the Cincinnati area, a group of students and I have been organizing protests locally. In addition to the protests, we’ve also started an educational anti-racism series. It’s this deep passion for social justice, human rights and that all people deserve dignity. We should all be getting up for human rights, regardless of what our identities are and what we think.”

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