The SLAM Fast for Non-Violence
In 2008, students at San Leandro High School (SLHS) in the San Leandro Academy for Multi-Media (SLAM) engaged in their first fast for non-violence (Fast). During that period, students each fasted one day in relay fashion and produced and displayed non-violence/peace related media. The Fast memorialized the 40th anniversary of Cesar Chavez's 1968 fast for non-violence. In 1968, Cesar Chavez fasted 25 days to promote the discipline of non-violence for the United Farm Workers. The Fast was transformative for the SLAM academy and the campus as a whole, growing into "The Season of Service, Period of Peace" (Season of Service) a strategy which has previously been honored as a Promising Practice in Character Education. The SLAM Fast changed the media academy in two major ways: first, by having SLAM students closely examine their own behaviors and second, by having the SLAM students play a leadership role on campus. Over the years, the Fast has covered more personal and more relevant topics, including bullying and cyber bullying, homophobia, labeling, domestic violence, prejudice, and racism. Videos are made by teams of students and aired on the SLHS website, Facebook page, and a YouTube Channel.