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Spelman Social Justice Fellow Reflects On Police Violence, Protests

LaShawn Hudson •
Atlanta college students participate in Sunday’s #HBCUs4BlackLives protest.
Atlanta college students participate in Sunday’s #HBCUs4BlackLives protest.
Credit COURTESY OF KAYLA SMITH
Audio version of this story here.

Kayla Smith is one of the many Atlanta college students advocating for change.

Smith, who is a rising senior and social justice fellow at Spelman College, says she is still trying to process the police killing of George Floyd and countless other African American men and women who have died at the hands of law enforcement officers.

Kayla Smith is a rising senior and social justice fellow at Spelman College, majoring in international studies with a concentration in diplomacy and international development. Smith is also the founder of Spelman’s first podcast, “The Blue Record.” She joins “Closer Look” to reflect on the protests that are happening in Atlanta and around the world. (Courtesy of Kayla Smith)
Kayla Smith is a rising senior and social justice fellow at Spelman College, majoring in international studies with a concentration in diplomacy and international development. Smith is also the founder of Spelman’s first podcast, “The Blue Record.” She joins “Closer Look” to reflect on the protests that are happening in Atlanta and around the world. (Courtesy of Kayla Smith)

Smith says watching the repeated violence has been heartbreaking and mortifying.

“I haven’t understood why since Trayvon Martin,” Smith said. “I haven’t understood any of this.”

On Friday’s episode of “Closer Look,” Smith told the show’s host, Rose Scott, that she recently participated in an #HBCUs4BlackLives protest to stand in solidarity.

Smith says the protest was organized by Atlanta University Center college students following the arrest of Messiah Young and Taniyah Pilgrim.

During the conversation, Smith also talked about the importance of healing as a nation and prioritizing dignity for all people.

“Once we all choose to fight for human dignity, things will change; things will have to evolve because in our current state, human dignity is not a priority, and that’s a concern,” said Smith.

Guest:

  • Kayla Smith, rising senior and social justice fellow at Spelman College

To listen to the full conversation, please click the audio player above

 

 

 

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