SHHS grad fights racism
Inicident inspires scholar to become activist, role model
Malcom Charles is disappointed that he won’t be able to celebrate his graduation from Sterling Heights High School in the usual way due to the coronavirus restrictions.
But, then again, he has never been one to do the usual thing.
When he was in elementary school and children his age were in awe of sports stars and garbage truck drivers he was setting goals inspired by the inauguration of former United States President Barack Obama.
“I was 7-years-old when Barack Obama took office,” Charles said. “Watching him become the first African American president sworn in did something to me to me and from that moment on I knew I wanted to make a change, a difference.”
He has been true to his word.
Throughout elementary school and high school he has set the bar for other students, his friends and even his foe. His high ideals and goals have not only earned him accolades but put him at the top of the list when educators and community leaders needed a role model who could reach out to students about important issues. Be it as a guest speaker for DARE Elementary or in leading a discussion about the dangers of vaping for CARE of Southeast Michigan.
The Macomb Daily Student of the Week also earned varsity letters in basketball, football and track – while maintaining a grade point average of 3.833 that not only made his mother, Rose Charles and grandmother proud but earned him academic scholarship offers to several colleges and universities.
“I chose Michigan State University,” he said. “I like the other schools (Central Michigan and Texas Southern University to name a few) but honestly felt that being closer to home was better. I also think I’ve always been a true Spartan.”
However, perhaps the biggest achievement and one that even Obama would see fit to praise is the student organization that Charles founded to combat racism.
It was started after an incident during his sophomore year. While in art class a new student that had just completed a tour of the school led by Charles was asked upon his arrival who he knew at the school. When a couple students pointed to Charles and asked if he was his newest friend the student said, “No. He’s a ni——.”
The teacher heard him say it and confronted him. To this he replied, “Yeah, I called him that. What did you want me to call him, slave?”
Charles was as shocked as anyone by the comment. But once again, while the people around him were fired up and looking to retaliate Charles left it in the hands of the school administration, who suspended the student. Then, he took the high road and founded Stomp Racism.
To this day the group has served to celebrate the school’s diverse population while making it clear that they do not tolerate racism or hatred of any kind. What began as a group of 20 has grown to more than a 100.
“We’ve gone on field trips and we’ve held special events,” Charles said, of the group whose last trip before school came to an end had them visiting Detroit’s Motown Museum.
So popular is Stomp Racism that the school organization had to call an election to choose successors for Charles and his VP Syed Hason. This fall they will turn the reigns over to Deshawn Rayford and Myrna Dazhlian.
As for Charles he plans to study political science at MSU and then go on to law school – which will lead him to become a lawyer or a judge.
“Malcom is arguably the most well-rounded student we have had at Sterling Heights High School,” said Craig Miller, principal at the school.”
From the moment he walked in the door as a freshman, Miller knew Charles would change the culture of the school, and he has.
“It has been his goal to leave SHHS a better place than the way he found it, and he has accomplished that goal, ten-fold,” Miller said. “When he was faced with a challenging situation, instead of choosing anger, he showed emotional and mental maturity, along with determination.”
Through Charles’ legacy of spreading kindness rather than anger he has used his group to educate students on diversity, allowing for dialog to build understanding and acceptance of all people.
“Malcom has a genuine desire to learn from every situation he finds himself in, no matter the outcome,” Miller said, before adding that he has the most integrity of any person he’s ever met.
As for future goals Charles remains focused on the dream he shared with his pals in first-grade.
“I plan to be the president of the U.S.,” he said.