BATs Statement: In Solidarity #BlackLivesMatter June 2020
We, the Board of Directors for the Badass Teachers Association, will state this over and over again until the day that Black and Indigenous People of Color tell us that it is no longer necessary.
Black Lives Matter.
We must do everything in our power to demand and stop the killing of Black bodies, Black mothers, Black fathers, sons, or daughters who are killed simply for their existence. Everything that we do must be done to work towards the day that Black and Indigenous lives are valued as equals in our communities. We must engage in the work necessary to change racist laws and policies that maintain White Supremacy.
As educators, it is our responsibility to demand that our schools become places where anti-racism is embraced, modeled, and expected of all. Whether we teach in predominantly white schools or schools with majority Black and brown students, we must commit to being anti-racist educators. We can no longer ignore the impact of racism and expect our students to grow up and believe that we are all equal. We can no longer remain silent while our colleagues advocate for the dangerous position of being colorblind in a world built on robbing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color of their humanity.
It is past time for police accountability. It is past time for Ethnic Studies in our schools. It is past time for mandated training for all educators in inherent biases and racism. It is past time for equitable funding and resources so that public education can break the institution of racism, instead of feeding it.
We stand in solidarity with all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color protesting against police brutality, white supremacy, and toxic masculinity that took the life of George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop, and so many more.
We welcome all anti-racist and anti-fascist educators who are eager to use their greatest weapon to fight back: access to schools and classrooms. We cannot wait for the government to mandate schools be anti-racist. We must commit to this work now and forever.
Sincerely,
Melissa Love Light Tomlinson, Executive Director
Dr. Denisha Jones, Esq., Assistant Executive Director
Wilma de Soto, Board of Directors
Susan DuFresne, Board of Directors
Michael Flanagan, Board of Directors
Sergio Flores, Board of Directors
Directors of Steering Committees:
Susan DuFresne, and Nancy Osborne - Co-Directors of Meme Team
Jamy Brice Hyde and Kathy Beery - Co-Directors Quality of Workplace Steering Committee
Tina Andres and Brianne Kramer - Co-Directors of Action Committee
Michael Flanagan and Steven Singer - Co-Directors of Research/Blogging
Kathleen Hagans Jeskey and Brittany Alexander - Co-Directors of State Administrators
Tikiela Rucker - Director of Social Justice
Terry Kalb - Director of Special Education
Phil Sorensen- NEA BAT Caucus Chair
Nikk Enser - Director of Member Engagement
Resources
Join educators in your community who are fighting for Black lives. Research how to be an ally and an accomplice. Here are some resources to help you on your journey!
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), has released a powerful new web portal Talking About Race.
“Talking About Race” provides digital tools, online exercises, video instructions, scholarly articles, and more than 100 multimedia resources tailored for educators, parents, and caregivers, as well as individuals committed to racial equality. In releasing this resource now, we hope to help individuals and communities foster constructive dialogues on one of the nation’s most challenging issues: racism, and its corrosive impact.
Scaffolded Anti-Racism Resources
https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1PrAq4iBNb4nVIcTsLcNlW8zjaQXBLkWayL8EaPlh0bc/mobilebasic
An Essential Reading Guide For Fighting Racism
40+ Books for AntiRacist Teachers – White Fragiles Beware! (summer 2020 update)
https://culturallyresponsiveleadership.com/antiracistbooks/
George Floyd Forum Discussion
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1a9yejqAZ9VYsFbKfPj1u26q2D0Tj-8Zago8iNWYbPyQ/edit?usp=sharing
Institutionalized Racism: A Syllabus
Social Justice Resources
Colorful Pages Resources for Educators K-8 Learning Activities for Justice for George Floyd
Black Lives Matter at School
https://blacklivesmatteratschool.com/
How Educators Can Turn Grief Into Action
Show your solidarity as a union member by signing:
Union members for #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd