I'm Going To Write A Letter!

by Mechele Newell

5100 Business Center Drive

Fairfield, CA 94534

To Whom it may concern,

I am an educator within the Solano County Department of Education. For the past several years, I’ve taught upper elementary school within the County. I am writing to you in regards to my concern for student safety in Benicia, CA.

During the last week of April, 2022, a student in my class shared some disturbing news about racist acts happening in Benicia. These acts of hate have a deep history in your city and high school. If you do not know, we are talking about the “traditional game”, La Migra. Students and educators alike throughout the county, are deeply concerned about the safety of students of color in Benicia. We are also concerned about the lack of accountability for students who participate in this hate crime.

Historically, La Migra is a term used to describe immigration officials known for entering the homes of families and searching for documentation that the family members have the right to be in this country. In the event that documents are not found, those family members may be removed from the home immediately and prepared for deportation. As we consider the “traditional game”, there is nothing remotely funny about the trauma these events inflict on children and their families.

You see, White students from Benicia High School have been playing this “game”, La Migra, for decades, kidnapping unsuspecting Latinx students, blind-folding them, beating them up, dropping them off in other cities without any means of communication. Recently, April 2022, a Mexican student and his Black girlfriend were attacked in Benicia, verbally, with racial slurs, and physically by a metal pellet gun. Though this may have been “fun” or “funny” to the assailants, it was not funny to the victims, rather, extremely traumatic. Additionally, it was not funny to me, my students, their families, or other community members.

We would like to know what you and your organization have done to maintain the safety of students of color at your high school and within your city. We are aware that no one (no organization) is interested in taking responsibility, or maintaining accountability for those who participate in this hate crime; however, someone needs to. It is the year of 2022, though we know racism still exists, it should not be ignored. Instead, all students, regardless of their skin color or ethnicity, should be treated with respect and kept safe within your city, and especially your schools.

As we prepare to enter a new school year, our community will focus on how we can support Black and Brown youth and their safety in Benicia. We will not allow this issue to go unnoticed as it has for over 40 years. We have been told that these incidents occur most often during Prom season. We will work diligently to bring light to this issue.

In conclusion, as an educator of predominantly Black and Brown students, I am standing with my class and the Black and Brown students of Benicia High School. We want the people of Benicia to be educated about anti-racist actions. Simply claiming, “I’m not racist!”, is not enough! We want accountability for those who participate and/or contribute to this racist crime, “the traditional game”, La Migra. We are calling for public acknowledgement and an action plan, with follow through, moving forward. This packet includes some statements and quotes from concerned students within the county. Please review the attachment. I hope you see the seriousness of this matter and work earnestly to provide actionable steps to end these racist, hate motivated crimes in your city. I look forward to hearing from you soon in response to our writing.

Sincerely,

A concerned local educator