Dear student leaders and interested parties,
The Student Senate for California Community Colleges, who serves the most diverse student population in the nation, stands with all Black Americans to end the unjust and inequitable treatment of Black students and communities, but standing will never be enough! We will actively work within the higher education system to initiate change because we are “tired” of others “talking” about the issue. As students, we want change and it starts with education--it starts in our classrooms with our teachers and our administrators, and it starts right now with us!
Together, as both the outgoing and incoming SSCCC Presidents, we are committed to bringing to the upcoming Special Meeting of the SSCCC Delegate Assembly this June an action plan to begin the work to aggressively break down institutional racism. We will ask the SSCCC Board of Directors to create the Institutional Success for People of Color Task Force with individuals from the Board, Region, local colleges, and other organizations to begin immediately addressing microaggressions in the classroom, faculty diversity, and campus safety to name a few. We will also actively work with our system partners such as the Chancellor’s Office, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, Faculty Association of Community Colleges, Community College League of California, as well as student organizations such as University of California Student Association and California State Student Association to join forces to break down the barriers of racism and racial inequities that are impacting the lives of our students.
Just today, Chancellor Ortiz Oakley asked the incoming SSCCC leadership to join him in his "Call to Action" shared with the system today. His "Call to Action" includes the following six areas:
- Systemwide review of police and first responder training and curriculum. (ASCCC, CTE Deans and Faculty)
- Campus leaders host open dialogue and address campus climate. (CEO’s, District Leaders, Campus Police, CSSO’s and their Student leaders)
- Campuses audit classroom climate and create an action plan to create inclusive classrooms and anti-racism curriculum. (Faculty, CIO’s, CSSO’s, ASCCC)
- District Boards review and update your Equity plans with urgency. (Chancellor’s Office, All Campus Leaders, and District Trustees)
- Shorten the time for the full implementation of the DEI Integration Plan (DEI Implementation Workgroup, Consultation Council and Chancellor’s Office)
- Engage in the Vision Resource Center “Community Colleges for Change.” (Everyone)
As you can see, student leaders are involved in two of these areas; however, we will advocate that students be included in conversations both statewide and locally in every area of the "Call to Action." But we need you to do your part too! We need all students to join us in demanding change. Be active - apply to serve on the task force noted above by clicking on this link! Register to vote! Join our SSCCC Black Caucus! Volunteer both locally and statewide to sit on participatory governance committees! Say it loud and say it proud--let your voice be heard! We will not be silenced! All our ancestors have fought, our grandparents have protested, our parents have sacrificed, now it is our turn to be the change!
Danny Thirakul, Outgoing President (2019 - 20)
Stephen Kodur, Incoming President (2020 - 21)
#BlackLivesMatter #IAmBecauseWeAre #WeAreBecauseIAm #MayTheCircleBeUnbroken
We have asked three African American Women, who are also SSCCC statewide leaders to share their frustrations and experiences below. While these are the experiences of only three African American women, the Student Senate for California Community College is honored and privileged to be able to highlight these individuals. We understand and see the need for Black students to come together and use our collective voices for action.
Ya’Mese Alijè Johnson, SSCCC Vice President of Communications
“As an African American woman leader and student in the California Community College system, I have felt and seen the institutional racism occurring on our campuses and in our classrooms. I hate that every day I have to remind myself when I leave my home that my skin marks me as a threat. So whenever I go outside, I have to be careful, precise, and, most importantly, cautious. I hate that every day I am reminded that I am nothing but a slave, sex toy, thug, etc. I hate that every day there is more effort put into making us become a statistic apart from the status quo instead of protecting us. Through all of this, it's hard to get through a day without being depressed, and it may be hard to be Black. I love my f*cking skin, I know we will figure many more ways to support and uplift each other more than ever.
As my mother and other Black mothers of Black children have told us ‘If you're ever stopped by the cops, you have to pull over, put your hands on your dashboard, tell the officer everything you're going to do while you're doing it, make sure you remember the badge number and last name, and NEVER raise your voice.’, this was the first of many lessons Black children are taught from an early age.”
Crystal Katherine Williams, SSCCC Region IX Regional Affairs Director
“You have two choices in life: you can either be silent and hope that one day, something will change, or you can stand up and be the change. You don’t need a title, money, or a degree to make a difference. It all comes down to if you have the courage to stand up, and speak up for yourself, and others around you. This is YOUR CALL TO ACTION. WE are the forces of change for this country. Being Black in America should not be viewed as a hindrance, or make you a target of hate and inequality. From the day we are born Black, we are attacked by the world for just being us. If you have a name that’s not common, people make fun of you for that. If you’re dark-skinned, some view you as ugly. If you’re light-skinned, you’re accused of not being 'black' enough. If your hair is not straight, it’s deemed ugly, nappy, and just bad hair. When we are passionate, we’re viewed as being angry and rioting. We’re conditioned to just keep our mouth shut, and go with the flow. Forget that! It is time to knock down the doors of oppression and rejection.
We need our Black students to demand a seat at all the tables and included in the conversation. The time to be silent is over. In the words of Shirley Chisholm, “If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” There shouldn’t be only three voices being heard here. We need to change that. Get involved, stand your ground, and make your voices heard.
Lauren Sanders, SSCCC Black Caucus President
“I remember both of my parents telling me a story but Dad told it in more detail. Mom is from Northern Indiana and Dad from Southern Indiana yet there is a town, about an hour away from Dad’s hometown called Martinsville, Indiana. Everyone hated driving through that town but you had to in order to get from Indianapolis to Bloomington, Indiana. Bloomington is where my parents met (school). Many times Dad, Uncles & maternal grandfather made that drive. My grandmother always said, 'Whatever you do, DON’T STOP in Martinsville for Anything'. Reason being Martinsville was and still is a KKK town and they still abided by those stereotypes. Till this day my family and friends will do whatever they have to in order to NOT stop in that town and be able to get home or school safely. But this hasn’t stopped me from continuing to lead others Respectfully & Gracefully. I have continued to abide by the manners my parents taught me to Love, Pray for others even when they do you wrong, Respect and Care about Others. I continue to pray for the Safe return of everyone I Love. None of us want to get that phone saying that we need to come and Identify a loved one’s body because of Racism."
