Wenonah High School has been touched by violence with the recent shooting deaths of two students. But Friday, civil rights leader Rev. AL Sharpton joined with Birmingham community and education leaders to celebrate the good work of students and teachers at the school’s annual Unity Breakfast.
Wenonah’s culinary arts students prepared and served breakfast to hundreds of people gathered in the school’s gym. Other students ushered and gave speeches –a contrast to the recent violence involving students.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, a face familiar to many in the crowd, applauded the students and their principal for instilling in them a sense of value. He offered advice to school supporters working with young people.
“If you stand up for them and stand up to them, we can deal with this violence,” he said.
Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, a New York-based civil rights organization, also challenged students to excel in spite of difficult circumstances.
“You are not responsible for how you was born or who your parents were,” he said, “but you are responsible for what you do with the rest of your life.”
Sharpton urged adults to encourage the youth by telling them they can be whatever they want to be.