In ever growing numbers there are teachers across the state of California that feel pressured to react to the ongoing, and increasingly aggressive, political attacks against education in general, and educators in particular.
These attacks are nowhere more clear-cut than those unleashed against bilingual education.
Proposition 187 told our students "You do not have the right to enter public schools for an education." This law was consequently blocked by the courts as "unconstitutional." Now Proposition 227 tells our students "You may have a right to show up to school, but we refuse to teach you anything."
We understand that the passage of these laws are not isolated events; they form part of an overall campaign against the Mexicano and broader Latino community. 187 and 227 attack the educational rights of the community, while Proposition 209 attacks our economic rights. Together, these laws severely compromise our civil and democratic rights.
As a population in general we have arrived at this bleak situation due to a severe vacuum of principled political representation. As Raza educators, we are no exception; we are disunited and unorganized.
Frustrated because of our lack of power, we continue to silently implement destructive educational policies that harm our students every day. Politically intimidated by the undemocratic, "top-down" methods of district "leadership" we stand aside and watch, for fear of retribution.
There is power in unity.
As Progressive Raza teachers we call on you to join us! Help build the Association of Raza Educators!