Running high schools like prisons won’t solve city violence

It wasn’t long ago that students leaving school campuses to buy their lunch from a local café or corner store was commonplace. In fact, that practice remains customary in many parts of this country and around the world. Students like myself essentially work full-time jobs with the school day and the work that comes with it, and, as such, one of the easiest and most accessible ways for us to participate in community life is to engage in local commerce and go around to stores. Until very recently, that was lauded and encouraged — even when it fell during our school lunch break.