Page One

Despite my desire to believe that I live in a community that is diverse in its culture and would not tolerate any form of racism, my desire and belief have been daunted with the constant reminder that it is still “us” against “them.” I have become over the last three years increasingly aware of the underlining and subtle racism that exists in the Berkeley community. Whether or not anyone will or can admit to it also frightens me. With the passage of Prop. 21 and the new State Mandated Retention Policy, it is obvious that the entire State of California down to the Berkeley Unified School District has an agenda that is NOT to benefit the children of color. 

As an African-American parent of a child in the school district, I am appalled at the obvious racism that exists. I have attended forum after forum, workshop after workshop, and meeting after meeting where everyone in attendance has insisted that they would like to be part of the process of eliminating the obvious exclusion the white community has caused over the years. With that in mind, those same “helpful” people are all a part of the exclusion process that exists. When a family comes to a school in the district, EVERYTHING is already in place by the white parents who have been a part of the community for eons. Is this fair? Is this inclusion? 

Committees have come together time and time again to discuss how to assist the African-American/Latino communities in helping their children become more successful in school and in life. The amusing thing is that these same committees do not invite or do outreach to the communities to receive their valuable input about their children. Just live slavery, segregation and all other forms of oppression, “We know what you need, never mind what you think you need.” It doesn’t change. And no matter how many times this total disregard is brought to everyone’s attention, it doesn’t change. Of course the committee leaders say that they contact people, but whom? For instance, how can you have a PTA Council meeting but not contact every PTA Council member, as well as the board members about the meeting? The most interesting thing is that the members that are of color and do not have e-mail are the ones that are left out of the loop. Another glowing example is the Literacy Project that the Berkeley Reads Committee has begun. A wonderful concept, but unfortunately, there are only two African Americans that sit on the committee and no Latino representation that I could see. 

It appears that the district receives numerous grants and funds to assist children and families of color, but no one of color is ever hired to distribute the funds, develop or implement programs. Of course the argument would be that the committee and district leaders have tried to do outreach to those communities, but whom have they contacted? How have they let the communities know that their help is needed? Through e-mail? 

Am I wrong for feeling insulted? Am I wrong for not wanting to tolerate it any longer? I wonder if anyone that is reading this is actually reading, hearing or understanding this. My only other question is, how can a community that does not want to admit to the problem be a part of the process? I only hope that the African-American/Latino communities wake up and then stand up for their children and families before it’s too late. 

Thanks for listening. 

A Berkeley resident, Marissa Saunders is a Berkeley parent advocate.