Co-Making Against Racism: Nila’s Marginal Journey
At the age of 12, Nila, a Black girl, grew tired of facing systemic racism every day. Her motivation to create the #StopRacism sign stemmed from disappointment with the then-president’s actions and a growing awareness of the widespread nature of racism. Nila expressed her concerns about racism, particularly incidents like the unjust arrest of two Black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks, sparking discussions within her maker club.
Nila’s conversation created a space for peers to share their experiences with racism, fostering a sense of solidarity. This discussion became a platform for them to challenge and critique racism in their community and within the realm of making. Breaking down anti-Blackness in the community/STEM borders allowed young people to actively seek their place and imagine new spaces.
She prominently displayed a light-up sign in her community makerspace bearing the powerful message #StopRacism. Crafted from heavy poster board reinforced with hot glue for durability, the sign features a hidden parallel circuit of 40 LEDs powered by a hand crank generator and backup batteries.
Emphasizing her agency in disrupting anti-Blackness centers, Nila highlighted her role in co-making tools to encourage collective action against racism. Her #StopRacism light-up sign, a product of material and symbolic boundary exploration, continues to serve as a powerful symbol in the community, encouraging dialogue and affirmation.
