CINCINNATI, Ohio—With so much going on in our country right now, it may be difficult to explain to school-aged children. But Cincinnati Public schools wanted to have an open conversation about the current climate in their first-ever Speak Up Speak Out forum.

A half dozen Cincinnati Public school students shared their voices Wednesday afternoon after protests have been organized around the country after George Floyd’s death.

“This is an opportunity for the young people in the city of Cincinnati to rise up in peaceful demonstration to take a stance against racism that is seen in our communities and potentially also experienced within our schools," Laura Michell, Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent said.

The virtual meeting was open for all seventh through twelfth grade students. The students that were selected to talk, shared how they’re feeling in today’s world.

“The pandemic was bringing America together because communities were coming together to help each other," Chris Scott a CPS senior said. "But now that George Floyd has died and all this stuff happened just within the past month itself, now America’s back separated.“

“I was born black, I am who I am, why does that mean I have a target on my back?" Jamya Smith a CPS graduated senior said. "It kind of scares me a little bit.”

Many of the students shared their concerns for their family members. For one high school student, he says his father has to leave early in the morning before curfew is lifted. 

“He told me like, no matter what, I love you," Keorland Harrison a CPS sophomore said. "It’s kind of sad because you don’t want to hear that from your parent. We don’t want that to be the last thing you hear from them. And… I’m sorry. You don’t know if your loved one is going to be next.”

Cincinnati Public School employees say they planned the event in a matter of days because they knew they had to allow students to vocalize what they’re feeling and continue the conversation of racial injustice.

“It’s time for the uncomfortable conversations to get a little bit more comfortable," Josh Hardin CPS District Athletics Manager said.

Many of the students shared that they felt comfortable talking with a teacher or coach right now, and many of them have. 

“If I can openly come to my coaches and say something about this and they can acknowledge it and we can work to do something to like change it, that’s fine with me, I like that," Smith said. "It gives me some type of reassurance that somebody cares.”

While protests continue across the country and in Cincinnati, district leaders hope conversations like these will help enact change

“This is not about just talking, this is about real action," Mitchell said.

“Powerful, emotional, to really hear from the students in our city and what they’re really feeling," Hardin said.

The Speak Up Speak Out forum will continue weekly to allow the conversation to continue.