I am deeply troubled by a consistent and disturbing trend from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE): their repeated failure to hold community conversations in predominantly Black school districts. This is not merely an oversight; it is a deliberate choice that silences the voices of the communities who need to be heard the most.
The VDOE's Pattern of Exclusion
Time and again, the VDOE has scheduled these supposedly "public" meetings in locations that are either inaccessible or unwelcoming to the predominantly Black communities they most profoundly impact. This is not just about location; it's about who is given a seat at the table – and more importantly, who is systematically shut out.
The VDOE claims to champion equity and inclusion, but their actions paint a very different picture. By holding meetings in predominantly white, affluent areas, they are ensuring that the voices and concerns of Black families are marginalized. This is not just an affront to the principles of equity and justice; it is a betrayal of the public trust.
The Governor's Executive Order: A Missed Opportunity for Equity
The governor's new executive order on banning cell phones during instructional time is a policy I support. Limiting distractions in the classroom is crucial for student learning. However, the process behind this order underscores the VDOE's troubling pattern of exclusion.
Where is the community outreach as this order is being developed? Certainly not in our neighborhoods. By excluding Black communities from these conversations, the VDOE has ensured that the perspectives of the families most impacted by this order are ignored.
The Real-World Impact of the VDOE's Actions
The consequences of the VDOE's actions are very real. When Black communities are excluded from these conversations, their unique challenges and perspectives are ignored. This leads to policies that may have unintended consequences or overlook the specific needs of Black students.
Our schools cannot truly improve without the full and equal participation of the communities they serve. By silencing Black voices, the VDOE is dooming our efforts to create a more just and equitable education system. This is not just a moral failing; it is an educational one.
Demanding Better from the VDOE
As a School Board member, I will not stand idly by while the VDOE continues to marginalize and exclude our Black communities. I will demand that any community conversations be held in accessible locations that reflect the diversity of our school district. I will fight to ensure that Black voices are not just heard, but truly centered in these discussions.
The VDOE must be held accountable for their actions. They cannot continue to speak about equity and inclusion while actively working to exclude the very communities they are supposed to serve. As a School Board member, I will be a vocal and unyielding advocate for the rights and dignity of our Black students and families.
A Call to Action
But I cannot do this alone. I urge every member of our community to join me in demanding better from the VDOE. Attend their meetings, even if they are inconveniently located. Speak out against their practices of exclusion. Above all, amplify the voices of Black families and students, who have too often been silenced.
We must push for a more inclusive process in developing educational policies, even ones we support. Black communities have a right to shape the policies that impact our schools. Together, we can force the VDOE to confront the inequity of their actions. Together, we can create a school system that truly values and empowers every student, regardless of race. The fight for educational justice begins now – and I ask for your vote to be a champion for our Black communities on the School Board.
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