'It Takes More Than 9 Minutes To Be An Ally'

SHOREWOOD, WI — Hiwot Schutz, a 17-year-old Shorewood High School student, has seen her share of microaggressions — the type of everyday discrimination that weaves its way into the fabric of life for all black students in Shorweood.

"Even though I live here, I definitely feel isolated from the community, and I think there are ways we can change that," she told Patch. "I just see a change in how the community thinks, how the community works, and for people to not be so quick to call police on black kids who live here. They need to see us more as community members."

Schutz is a member of Youth Rising Up, and is President of the school's ACLU club, and has recently taken the time to participate go before the community to remember George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis.

Schutz was part of the Kneel for Nine rally in Shorewood on June 2, and saw what happened when a middle-aged white man confronted 14-year-old Isabella Busby, who is black. Accounts of the confrontation were unmistakable as Brusby stood face-to-face with the upset man, who yelled at her, and the group for more than five minutes.

"We were kind of the only ones going up there to talk to him," she recalled of a handful of fellow protesters. "People were across the street either filming or watching, and it was frustrating to see. I remember walking away thinking I was more frustrated. You're always going to have people like that but you need to be an ally. You need to use your privilege to protect those who are more at risk who are going to be targeted."

By the end, Schutz said she saw people shaking hands with the police. "They did the bare minimum. People were thanking them for doing the bare minimum," she said.

Schutz said it takes more than just kneeling for nine minutes to be an ally. It takes getting involved, being present and sticking with a cause long after the march disbands. "It's like an act, they take their pictures for Facebook, and then they go home," she said of some community members. "They need to show support. That's the point of being an ally."