Yale Honors 12-Year-Old Black Girl Who Police Were Called on for Spraying Lanternflies
A 12-year-old black girl is being honored by Yale University for being stopped by police while spraying lanternflies.
Milkiah Burks’ Story
Milkiah Burks, of Reading, Pennsylvania, has become an inspiring example of a savvy young scientist. On August 22, she was stopped by police after spraying lanternflies in her neighborhood with a homemade bug spray solution. The police had been called by a neighbor, who assumed she was vandalizing property.
Yale Honors Milkiah Burks
To show their appreciation for Milkiah’s hard work, scientists at Yale University sent her an email honoring her achievement. In it, they praised her for being “creative and resourceful” and for taking an interest in science and the environment at such a young age. Milkiah was then invited to the Yale campus to talk about her work and the incident with the police.
Milkiah’s Work
Since the incident, Milkiah has continued her work to control the spread of the invasive lanternflies. She has made her own bug spray, traps, and other solutions to get rid of the pesky creatures. She also speaks to her local community about the importance of environmental conservation and the dangers of the lanternfly.
The Response
Since the story of Milkiah’s work went public, responses have been overwhelmingly positive. People from around the world have thanked Milkiah for her dedication and hard work, and many are praising her for her inspiring example. The incident also spoke to the need for better education around environmental conservation and how to respect nature.
Conclusion
Milkiah Burks is an inspiring example of a young environmental scientist and serves as a reminder to us all to protect our planet. We can learn a lot from her example and hopefully, create a better and brighter world.
Kudos to Milkiah and Yale University for taking the time to recognize her.
Here are some ways you can support Milkiah’s cause and help protect the environment:
- Educate yourself and your local community about the dangers of invasive species.
- Support Milkiah’s work by contributing to her cause.
- Start your own environmental project in your community.
- Use natural, sustainable alternatives to chemical-based solutions.
- Spread awareness about the importance of protecting our planet.
Yale University is honoring a 12-year-old Black girl from Pennsylvania who had a police officer called on her for spraying lantern flies in her yard. The event prompted national outrage after the girl’s mother, Sierra D. McLane, shared a video of the moment on social media.
The incident happened in July when Tamir Harper, 12, was outside her mother’s apartment complex in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, trying to get rid of lantern flies, an invasive species of bug. In a post on Facebook, McLane explained that her daughter was spraying moths with an industrial spray cleaner when, suddenly, they were interrupted by a police officer.
McLane said that, as soon as she saw the officer, she asked what was going on and why he had been called. The officer explained that someone was concerned that Tamir was holding a “dangerous weapon” and, because of this, he had been called to the scene. After introducing himself, the officer asked Tamir for her name and date of birth. He then congratulated her for doing her civic duty and promptly left without incident.
McLane was so moved by the officer’s kindness, she got in touch with the police department to let them know she appreciated his approach. In response, she was surprised and delighted to learn that the police department had given the officer an award for his compassionate handling of the situation.
Now, Yale University is joining the chorus of praise for the young girl’s actions by awarding her with a scholarship to recognize her persistence and courage. Yale President Peter Salovey said in a statement, “We are so proud to honor Tamir, who took on this difficult task in the face of people questioning her, and is now setting a wonderful example for young people everywhere. We thank the law enforcement officer, who respected Tamir’s courage in the face of potential danger and supported her incredible determination.”
The scholarship will go towards funding Tamir’s college education, and she said that she intends to pursue a degree in environmental justice.
Tamir’s story is a reminder that sometimes, individuals can make a real difference, no matter how young they are. Her actions have provided hope in the face of racism and intolerance, and are a testament to the bravery and strength of the young Black girl rising generation.