By Dan Murphy
One of Michael Jordan’s famous quotes is “Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.” For most of us, this is easier said then done, but Yonkers resident Sydnei McKnight has done it.
McKnight, an 8th grade student at The Chapel School in Bronxville, was the victim of online bullying last year. The reason for the bullying? Sydnei expressed her support and interest in the Black Lives Movement, BLM, which was the major topic of news and discussion across the country.
“About 7 months ago, I was racially harassed. The person used some of the ugliness that has been used to degrade black people for generations. It was a hard time for me to cope with it,” said McKnight.
Adding to the hurt was the fact that the person who had bullied her online was someone that she knew from summer camp. McKnight told her mother Meisha about what had happened and The Chapel School was notified.
But what made her feel better during a time of need in her life was a friend and fellow students at The Chapel School who reached out and to lend his support.
“This friend of mine was an upstanding ally—he stood up for me when he didn’t have to and when I needed it. He didn’t have to stick up for me, but he did, and he also stood up to the person who sent me the message,” said Sydnei who has known the classmate for the five years that both have been students at the Chapel School.
After the incident, the principal of The Chapel School, Michael Schultz, told Sydnei and her mom about an upcoming BLM march in Bronxville. They participated in the march and after, Sydnei had an idea. “A vision that I had after the march was to create a scholarship for a person who has an ally and has been an upstanding person, and who supports their friend or person when they know they need it.”
The Chapel School loved the idea and got behind it. And this June, an essay contest will produce the first $500 recipient of the Sydnei McKnight Upstander & Ally Scholarship. Participating students will be required to write an essay that best emphasizes the importance of standing up for their classmates.
“I’m so proud of how it came about. And I’m glad that everyone loved the idea, to empower young men and women to stand up for what is right and be an upstander and stand up for what they believe in and what is right.”
We asked Sydnei if this type of racism that she experienced happens less with her generation. “I feel like this stuff happens every day, but it’s not talked about. As a result of what happened to me, I have heard countless stories from others about similar incidents. At first, I felt I couldn’t talk about it but now other people my age are standing up and trying to change things. Yes, it was a horrible experience, but we can make something great out of our bad experiences. It is time to stand up and stand up for good. As a member of my generation, I believe it’s important to be an Ally and Upstander.”
Meisha McKnight said, “Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in. And Sydnei is really a person who stands up for what she believes in.” She also thanked The Chapel School and principal Michael Schultz for their support.
“Principal Schultz was amazing and so supportive. When the idea was pitched to him, we didn’t know what to expect. But he thought it was a great idea from Day 1. He followed through and helped make it happen. “It’s inspiring that a young person like Sydnei understands and recognizes the importance of being an upstander and ally for others,” said Schultz.
Sydnei and her mom have not yet visited the BLM Mural in downtown Yonkers but plan to when the weather gets better, and they get their COVID vaccine. Congratulations to Sydnei McKnight, who is wise beyond her 13 years, for turning her negative situation into a positive situation for others for years to come.
