Bill Text

WHEREAS, A national movement of teachers, parents, administrators, scholars, and pupils have come together to proclaim an annual week of action, affirmation, and solidarity during the first week in February called Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action; and

WHEREAS, The State of California recognizes February as Black History Month, and urges all individuals to join in celebrating the accomplishments of Black and African Americans during Black History Month; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature also encourages the people of the State of California to recognize the many talents of Black and African Americans and the achievements and contributions they make to their communities to create equity and equality for education, economics, and social justice; and

WHEREAS, The annual Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action coincides with and augments Black History Month, occurs annually during the week of February 1, and this year is February 1 to 5, inclusive; and

WHEREAS, Schools should be places for encouraging equity, fostering understanding, and creating pathways to freedom and justice for all people; and

WHEREAS, The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is intended to highlight, uplift, and affirm the rich history and contributions of Black and African Americans and to cultivate in Black and African American pupils a sense of pride, self-worth, and self-love; and

WHEREAS, The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is further intended to encourage ongoing critical reflection and courageous conversations concerning systemic racism, social injustice, and racial and ethnic bias, and to affirm the right of Black and African American pupils to be treated with respect and dignity within schools and communities; and

WHEREAS, The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action movement started as a day of action in the City of Seattle during the fall of 2016, when thousands of educators in the city came to school on October 19, 2016, wearing shirts that said, “Black Lives Matter: We Stand Together,” and hundreds of families and pupils did too. This action attracted national news, helping it spread to the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The National Education Association endorsed the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action at its 2018 Representative Assembly, and educators, school staff, and pupils in over 20 cities nationwide now participate in the national movement to affirm the lives of Black and African American pupils, teachers, and families, and the Cities of Seattle, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, New York, and Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., among others, participate in the national movement; now, therefore, be it