Activism
OUSD Schools Participate in Pro-Palestine ‘Teach-In’ Despite District Tension
On Wednesday morning, OEA for Palestine members issued a statement calling out the superintendent and the district for trying to intimidate teachers from participating in the teach-in. “By attempting to chill academic freedom on this topic, OUSD is clearly taking a side in the war on Gaza,” said the statement.
By Magaly Muñoz, Post Staff
Teachers throughout the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) participated in a “teach-in” on Wednesday, where they informed students about the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, despite efforts by the district to shut it down.
In a YouTube video that was circulated within the district titled “Why YOU Should Participate in the December 6th Teach-In,” Jacob Fowler, a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School encouraged teachers to use a curriculum favoring the Palestinians when discussing the conflict with their students.
Tension across the Bay Area has heightened over the escalating conflict overseas that started with an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 in Southern Israel that killed 1,200 Israelis, and provoked a response that has led to more than 16,000 Palestinian fatalities so far, nearly half of whom are children.
OUSD Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell issued a statement Monday morning saying that the teach-in curriculum was “unsanctioned” and did not align with district guidelines.
“I want to make clear that the District does not authorize this action,” Johnson-Trammell said in her statement.
She explained that while the aim is to equip students to engage with local and global issues, educators must keep to principles of education and “keep their personal beliefs out of the classroom.”
Lesson plans for the day included educational materials suitable for grades K-12. These resources were assembled by ad-hoc members of the Oakland Education Association (OEA), the teacher’s union, specifically on the topic of Palestine. The materials included a variety of resources such as picture books, case studies and PBS videos.
On Wednesday morning, OEA for Palestine members issued a statement calling out the superintendent and the district for trying to intimidate teachers from participating in the teach-in.
“By attempting to chill academic freedom on this topic, OUSD is clearly taking a side in the war on Gaza,” said the statement.
The group also hosted a Zoom meeting on Wednesday titled “From Gaza to Oakland.” The meeting featured a panel consisting of representatives from the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voices for Peace, and the Black Alliance for Peace.
During the meeting, speakers were asked questions about how students can become more involved in the Palestinian movement and how this issue affects people in Oakland.
A teacher with OUSD who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation said OEA was expecting about 75-100 teachers across the district to participate in the teach-in.
She explained that her third-grade students responded really well to the curriculum and posed thoughtful questions about the conflict. Her school principal was on board with the teachers who opted to use these lessons as a conversation starter for discussions with students. She expressed confidence that parents would be receptive to this approach.
“I’m not hiding anything from parents, and I truly believe that they will be grateful that we’re having these conversations and we’re doing it in a way with safety and respect,” the source said.
While she has received positive responses from her school and students, the teacher expressed concern about her job, citing a quote that OUSD Board President Mike Hutchinson gave to the East Bay Times about teachers potentially losing their jobs as a consequence of participating in the teach-in.
Hutchinson did not respond to multiple attempts by the Post for a comment.
Parents and community members did express concern over the curriculum that was presented to students about the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Stephisha Ycoy-Walton, a mom to an OUSD student, shared that she wished the discussions about the war did not disrupt students’ education. She understands that students may be curious about the issue but emphasized that the district needs to care more about what’s happening in the classroom, rather than what’s happening on the other side of the world.
She expressed that she would have appreciated OEA members reaching out to parents to get their view on what was going to be taught to students, especially given that it was against what the district would typically allow.
“We have to be very careful in how we allow children to grow and to formulate their thoughts and opinions because what we do know is that our children are a total makeup of all of their influences, their environment, what they soak in, by what they hear, what they see, they soak it all in,” Ycoy-Walton said.
Allegedly, some parents across the district chose to keep students from class on Wednesday and some are even considering moving their kids to alternative schools or private school, says Tyler Gregory, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Bay Area.
He shared that the Jewish community is fearing for their lives and are starting to feel excluded in all areas of society, now including schools.
“We need to show that we are resilient, that we belong to this community and that we’re not going anywhere. We have to overcome that sense of fear right now and show the broader community who we are,” Gregory said.
Gregory wished that the lesson plans had been more inclusive to all sides of the conflict, saying that Muslim, Jewish, Palestinian, and Israeli groups should all have a voice in the curriculum.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Activism
S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System
Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.
By Carla Thomas
San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).
Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.
“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”
According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.
“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”
Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.
SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.
Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.
Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.
Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.
Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.
“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Activism
Oakland Ambassadors Strengthen Ties and Aid Efforts in Ghana
Oakland natives and esteemed members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Jonathan P. Jones and Dr. Maritony Efua Jones, recently embarked on a significant journey to Ghana as guests of the World Martial Authority Ghana. This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.
By Post Staff
Oakland natives and esteemed members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Jonathan P. Jones and Dr. Maritony Efua Jones, recently embarked on a significant journey to Ghana as guests of the World Martial Authority Ghana.
This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.
Upon their arrival at Katota Airport in Accra, Ghana, the Joneses were warmly received by His Royal Majesty Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, the distinguished king of Sanzule Kingdom in the Eastern Nzema, and Etse Nyamedi of World Martial Authority, Ghana.
Nyamedi accompanied the Joneses to the city of Mepe, which had recently experienced flooding, to assess damages and engage with local leaders, elders, and youth regarding the city’s urgent needs after major floods last fall.
Key concerns and priorities identified by the community include comprehensive flood mitigation measures, agricultural support, housing initiatives, educational enhancements, improved healthcare access, and the development of communal recreational spaces.
The Joneses were also graciously invited to meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their headquarters in Accra. This meeting provided insights into ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ghana and explored avenues for collaboration to further assist Ghanaian communities.
The LDS leaders shared their prompt response to the recent flood, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian aid by dispatching substantial supplies including medical provisions, sanitation items, blankets, and food to assist flood victims just four days after the disaster.
Additionally, Boakye extended a special invitation to the Joneses to his palace, where they were pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt recognition ceremony. Maritony Jones was honored as the Queen Mother of the Sanzule Kingdom in acknowledgment of her dedicated work, while Jonathan Jones was lauded and welcomed as the ambassador of the Sanzule Kingdom, symbolizing a meaningful homecoming to their ancestral land.
The visit not only strengthens ties between Oakland and Ghana but also underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to meaningful progress and humanitarian endeavors shared by all involved parties.
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