Local Politicians Visit Stevenson
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Daniel O'Donnell and Helen Rosenthal in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Robert Louis Stevenson School or its employees.
The Stevenson community learned a lot about local politics this year. Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell and Council Member Helen Rosenthal made separate visits to the school, each speaking to the students in a town hall setting.
Rosenthal represents the Upper West Side in the New York City Council. She is a leading voice on issues of accessibility, gender equity, and civic engagement, as well as affordable housing, education equity, and adequate funding for social service providers. Elected to the City Council in 2013, Rosenthal’s vote total in the general election was the highest of any candidate running for City Council in New York City.
In early December, seven Stevenson students visited Assemblymember O’Donnell at his office on the Upper West Side. The field trip presented an opportunity for the students to ask questions and enjoy Assemblymember O'Donnell's stories about his career. In addition to being the first openly gay Assemblymember, O’Donnell pioneered and passed New York State's Marriage Equality Act, as well as the first anti-bullying law in the state (DASA).
At Stevenson, O’Donnell spoke about Rosie, his famous older sister, and regaled the students with a story about making President Barack Obama laugh. The Assemblymember answered questions for well over a half an hour.
When asked how he’d rate the way the public school system deals with students with mental illness, O’Donnell responded, “I’d give it an F.”
“Every kid in this country deserves an education,” O’Donnell continued. “Every kid in this country deserves to go to a school where they’re safe from bullying and harassment.”
Among the topics covered during O’Donnell’s Q & A:
Dealing with homophobia in 2019 and working in a world that still largely fails to recognize minorities.
Representing innocent young people who suffer from mental illness during his time as a public defender.
Gender inequality in the political sphere.
Writing bills and the process of putting something into law.
Being a plaintiff in the landmark Marriage Equality Act decision.
The struggles of students with mental health issues.
The need for mental health parity in the healthcare system.
The reality that young people should advocate for themselves by writing to their local politicians because most politicians read everything sent to them.
The psychology behind bullying.
Voting for a law that required students to get vaccinations and the blowback he dealt with for doing so.
The over-reliance on standardized tests to dictate the futures of students.
Managing and improving upon New York City’s mass transit system, most notably the subway.
A woman’s right to choose what to do with her body.
The need for America to be less imperialistic.
The segregation he viewed in Long Island growing up.
Among the topics covered during Rosenthal’s Q & A:
Working with local businesses and institutions like the Natural History Museum on a financial level.
Speaking to the city’s police commissioner about transgender rights.
Visiting with victims in the Special Victims Division and giving victims rights.
Passing laws that forced police officers to take ten hours of trauma-informed training.
Improving the NYPD’s case management system.
The importance of community dialogue.
The inequalities facing people in minority communities.
Supporting bills and measures that would further integrate New York City’s public schools, including being the only elected official who supported the rezoning of three public schools.
The ratings of restaurants and how those ratings come about from the Department of Health.
The degree to which America is plagued by racism.