Students' Video Sparks Conversation About Hurtful Stereotypes

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - When Makdes Hailu won a place on the prestigious academic team at Chevy Chase High School, she overheard a classmate's put-down..."because she's black."

Black Ivy Leaguers last year created "I, Too, Am Harvard" opening up conversation about what can be done about school culture. That became the motivation for a six-minute YouTube video revealing the pain and struggle of black and Hispanic students at the high-performing high school in Maryland.

The school's principal has supported the video project, which has grown with students speaking poignantly about taking advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses where they see few black and Latino classmates, and it has gained momentum on the Internet and at educators' meetings as a powerful tool for change.

The video ends with Hailu's voice asking people to think twice before they say things, and avoid perceptions based on race.