We are in a pivotal moment. The steady drumbeat of Black Americans being killed by police has brought our society to a boiling point. After more than 400 years of horror, exploitation and subjugation, we are in the midst of an inflection point that can shift our culture toward something more humane and decent. Through these extraordinary times, our resolve has only grown to create and support anti-racist spaces that value human beings through safety, love, respect and honesty.
At Walkabout Education, our work is to create Structurally Anti-Racist high schools, which is no small feat and something we will aspire to be as long as we exist. But, what does being a Structurally Anti-Racist school mean? Where do you start?
Leadership and faculty that reflect the demographics of the students because, as Marian Wright Edelman said “you can’t be what you can’t see”
Culturally responsive and sustaining curriculum that honors the cultural heritage of communities of color
Co-creation of school culture and policies with students and community members
Amplification of student voice through self-governance, Advisory and Restorative Justice
Focus on real-world skills that create access to opportunity: Work-based learning and financial literacy
Place-based learning that engages students as activists to solve local and global issues
The work doesn’t end with our schools, we must also create anti-racist workplaces. For too long, the capacities, contributions and talents of people of color have been undervalued in the workplace. As we build our organization, we are learning what it means to be Structurally Anti-Racist.
The time is now. In order for our world to change, we need spaces that respect, celebrate and love our children and reveal their agency and power to them.
We stand with Black Lives Matter.
In Solidarity,
Ben Wild
Executive Director, Walkabout Education
We have included a list of policy issues that you can support in order to create transparency, accountability and a zero-tolerance approach to police misconduct. Achieving these recommendations will solidify our commitment to fundamentally redefine the relationship between law enforcement and our communities to one that is just and respectful of all human life.
Legislation and Policy Recommendations:
End Qualified Immunity by demanding legislation like Colorado’s Law Enforcement Integrity and Accountability Act
Support efforts to Repeal 50-a, (the law which currently cloaks police officers’ disciplinary records in secrecy).
Demand passage of the Police-STAT Act, which requires that police departments collect and report data on police stops so that they can be monitored for patterns of racial profiling.
Establish enforceable protections against profiling and Stop & Frisk End Racial Profiling Act
Establish effective civilian oversight structures Demand Civilian Oversight of Policing Practices
Use federal funds to encourage independent investigations and prosecutions H.R. 2302 - Police Training and Independent Review Act
Require the use of body cameras - in addition to dashboard cameras - and establish policies governing their use - ACLU Model Act for Regulating Use of Body Cameras Worn by Law Enforcement
End the Federal Government's 1033 Program Providing Military Weaponry to Local Police Departments H.R. 1232 - Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act
Establish standards and reporting of police use of deadly force - http://useofforceproject.org/#project
See Project Zero for fuller coverage of legislation and policies to end police violence.
School Specific Legislation and Policy Recommendations:
Enact district policies limiting the Use of Force school officers can use with students Spokane Public Schools.
Require a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between school districts and police departments explicitly protecting students’ rights.
Support enactment of the recommendations of the Dignity in Schools Campaign for schools, districts, states and federal policy-makers to End the Regular Presence of Law Enforcement in Schools, Create Safe Schools through Positive Safety and Discipline Measures and Restrict the Role of Law Enforcement that are Called in to Schools.