Last week, George Floyd joined the long list of Black Americans killed in racist attacks. We express our grief that another Black life was taken by the police, and our outrage that these killings continue. For too long, Black people have been killed by citizens of our own country, often members of our own government, while others looked aside.
Not only are Black lives threatened by violence, but the COVID-19 crisis has underscored the health disparities affecting Black communities, on top of economic disparities, educational disparities, and more.
We salute the protestors, across the U.S. and across the globe, who are putting their lives on the line to oppose police brutality and stand up for racial justice. We salute everyone who is speaking out.
We use this moment to recommit ourselves to doing the same. We affirm the value of Black lives and the limitless worth of Black people. As educators, we recommit ourselves to nurturing and supporting our Black students to achieve their enormous potential. We recommit ourselves to a curriculum that reflects their stories and teachers and staff who reflect their identities. We recommit ourselves to deepening our own understanding of social justice issues. And we recommit ourselves to combating oppression in every form.