Black Lives Matter

Image credit: artwork by Durham Association of Educators Board Member Malcolm Goff and his daughter.

Dear DPSF Friends and Neighbors,

Today we lift up the names and honor the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade and all Black persons who have been killed because of the systems of racism in our country. We affirm the lives of all Black people and believe that #BlackLivesMatter. 

 We believe public schools can lead in dismantling systemic racism when they address current and historic systems of inequality. In order to dismantle the dangerous legacy of white supremacy that this country’s institutions, including public schools, were built on, we must understand our country’s history and how we got to this moment. One of the resources we are sharing among our staff and board as we continue our education on this history and strengthen our commitment to antiracist work is this reading list compiled by author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. If you’re looking to buy books online, here is a list of black-owned bookstores you can order from.

We also believe that students’ and families’ voices matter and they know what they need in order to thrive. Forty-one percent of our DPS students are Black, and over 80 percent of our students are people of color - we are here to listen to their voices and to work everyday with our school district to ensure that our schools are places where every student feels safe, loved and can realize their brilliance and pursue their dreams. 

We mourn with those grieving across Durham and across the country, and we support those who are protesting state-sanctioned violence against Black people and are demanding justice. As an organization we are committed to continue holding anti-racism work at the core of how we do what we do and examining how our work is contributing to dismantling systems of oppression.

With love and solidarity,

Magan

Magan Gonzales-Smith
DPSF Executive Director