Solidarity Statement
As our country rises in protest, striving to meet our creed of justice and equality for all, we affirm in thoughts, words, and actions that Black Lives Matter. The brutality and oppression of our Black neighbors and colleagues has continued without repercussion or restitution for far too long. As educators, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to eradicate individual and systemic racism. We recognize the need to teach a true and accurate history of White people in America and their interactions with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. We are listening. We are hearing. We will not be silent anymore. We acknowledge that our actions may take many forms, in many places and will require concerted effort over an extended period of time. We dedicate ourselves to that work in honor of those whose names we record here:
George Floyd, Minneapolis, MN
Dana Martin, Montgomery (Alabama BATs)
Michelle Cusseaux, Phoenix (Arizona BATs)
Carlos Ingram-Lopez, Tucson (Arizona BATs)
Brayla Stone, Little Rock (Arkansas BATs)
Terron Boone, Rosamond (California BATs)
Stephon Clark, Sacramento (California, BATs)
Kayla Moore, Berkeley (California BATs)
Gabriella Nevarez, Sacramento (California BATs)
Elijah McClain, Aurora (Colorado BATs)
Jayne Thompson, Mesa County (Colorado BATs)
Jeremy McDole, Wilmington (Delaware BATs)
Tony McDade, Tallahassee (Florida BATs)
Kathryn Johnston, Atlanta (Georgia BATs)
Ahmaud Arbery, Brunswick (Georgia BATs)
Frankie Ann Perkins, Chicago (Illinois BATs)
Dreasjon Reed, Indianapolis (Indiana BATs)
Breonna Taylor, Louisville (Kentucky BATs)
Victor White III, New Iberia (Louisiana BATs)
Mya Hall, Baltimore (Maryland BATs)
Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Detroit (Michigan BATs)
Nina Pop, Sikeston (Missouri BATs)
Sharmel Edwards, Las Vegas (Nevada BATs)
Danette Daniels, Newark (New Jersey BATs)
Eleanor Bumpurs, Bronx (New York BATs)
Monika Diamond, Charlotte (North Carolina BATs)
Tamir Rice, Cleveland (Ohio BATs)
Malissa Williams, Cleveland (Ohio BATs)
Quanice Hayes, Portland (Oregon BATs)
Kendra James, Portland (Oregon BATs)
Nizah Morris, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania BATs)
Duanna Johnson, Memphis (Tennessee BATs)
Andre Stenson, Knoxville (Tennessee BATs)
Sandra Bland, Waller County (Texas BATs)
Pearlie Golden, Hearne (Texas BATs)
Natasha McKenna, Fairfax County (Virginia BATs)
Manuel Ellis, Tacoma (Washington BATs)
Charleena Lyles, Seattle (Washington BATs)
We join in solidarity with the demands of Black Lives Matter at School:
End the Pre-school to Prison Pipeline
Adopt Black History and Ethnic Studies Grades PreK-12th
Hire and Retain More Black Teachers and other Educators of Color
Fund Counselors/Community Not Cops