Updates and More Resources

Hi Friends!
Thanks to the few of you who wrote back with updates and offers to help — I really appreciate it! I’d love to hear from the rest of you when you have a chance. Also, please RSVP to our meeting by June 11 with the Chair of the School Board on June 20 so we can get a better sense of numbers and confirm with our venue.
Last week, I had a meeting with a School Board member, and I was pleasantly surprised by my conversation with her. She actually worked to make her child’s PTA more inclusive and reflective of the school community back when she was on the PTA board and I picked her brain about her experience and recommendations for others who may want to do the same. If you’re interested in her thoughts on this, please let me know and I’ll write it up for everyone. I hope to implement actions in this direction as I have the opportunity and I’d love for you to do the same.
I have some helpful resource articles to share this week:
(1) First, an article about the everyday occurrences of bias and outright racism POC face in our communities. There was a follow up yesterday — a group is requesting a congressional hearing on racial bias. This is a good opportunity to LISTEN, to continue to break out of your bubble, recognize your white privilege, and resolve to use that power to address the system that upholds and reinforces white supremacy.
(2) Here’s an interesting take on income inequality.
(3) And here’s an article about the impact non-profit support can have on public services like education, especially:
“Most of the philanthropy directed at public schools is local, meaning that wealthy school districts enjoy a philanthropic advantage and few people are paying attention to fairness and balance. And, indeed, we found clear evidence that across the nation private philanthropy for public schools exacerbates rather than eliminates budgetary inequities across school districts. Specifically, although most school funding still comes from taxpayers, we found that wealthy school districts are able to provide more dollars per pupil overall through this philanthropic “bonus.””
The first half of the article focuses on the impact on K-12 schools. The main takeaway is that parents should be advocating for all students at all schools to encourage adequate funding and not simply focusing on the schools one’s child attends. Expand your voice!
(4) For those who are involved in the Wear Orange campaign and who are working on gun violence issues, please remember disproportionate effect of gun violence on communities of color as you do this work.
(5) I also came across a study on economically and racially inclusive cities, including how more cities can follow this model. It involves INTENTION and explicit actions to incorporate the goals of inclusion in plans forward. We need to encourage our community to do the same, in the schools, and in the county as a whole.
Have a great week!

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