Brainerd High School valedictorian Dereke Townsend poses for a portrait near his home on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Dereke Townsend Jr. is the 2018 class valedictorian of Brainerd High School and he is woke.
At least, that is how the 18-year-old graduate describes himself. As a young, black male getting ready to leave home for the University of Tennessee this fall, Townsend explained that, to him, being “woke” means being conscious of how the world operates around him.
“I understand why things are the way they are for African-Americans,” Townsend said. “Yet, I also see how we aren’t doing much to help our situation. I have a clear vision on things that are in our face, while most don’t notice it. That’s what I feel woke is.”
Sitting on the front steps of his parent’s home east of downtown, Townsend said his high school career taught him where his place is and how he can contribute to society. If the last four years are any indication of what is ahead for Townsend, then he is well on his way to making a difference. The native Chattanoogan plans to study criminal justice at UT’s campus in Knoxville and is considering going into law in the future.
Townsend said one of the lessons that has stuck with him the most through school is one that can’t be taught in a textbook. He said his ninth-grade history teacher often mentored him and the other black males in his class about the challenges they will face in life.