AASA Issues Statement on Recent Events and Racial Inequality in our Nation
June 03, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
James Minichello
703-875-0723
703-774-6953 (cell)
jminichello@aasa.org
Alexandria, Va. – June 3, 2020 – Today, Daniel A. Domenech, executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, issued the following statement in response to the latest unrest in the U.S. following the killing of George Floyd.
“The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers is the latest in the long list of deaths that have been perpetrated against Blacks in our country. The demonstrations, vitriol and violence that have followed, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, are expressions of the frustration that our Black brethren feel after years of persecution, injustices, inequality and racism.
“At AASA, The School Superintendents Association, we must speak out against racism. Silence only contributes to the problem. Our mission clearly states our commitment to equity, a core element of all the work that we do. Equity is central to the work of superintendents and the school systems they lead.
“We are living at a time of obscene inequities and merely trying to compensate is not enough. Equity is more than making things more accessible and AASA’s work on equity must go further and become actively anti-racist. The perpetual traumas of inequality and discrimination manifest as more than the acts themselves, taking a significant toll on the mental health and well-being of all those impacted. Now is the time for all educational leaders to intensify our commitment to address inequities and work to dismantle systemic racism.
“This can be done by working to effectively implement curriculum that is diverse and culturally sensitive. Leading a system-wide effort requires that we ensure that cultural responsiveness permeates all levels of the district, from teaching and learning to buses and buildings, to all levels of professional development and community engagement. We need a non-stop commitment to ensure that students leave their schools fully prepared to succeed in a society that is ever more racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse. These strategies must also include a renewed focus on an anti-racist curriculum in our history lessons, so that children are educated, informed and able to learn from our shared history.
“AASA remains committed to equity, working to prepare and support school system leaders who value equity, and to dismantling system racism and discrimination. We pledge to continue working to change the narrative by building a sense of hope for our children and articulating a vision that is compassionate, supportive and actionable.”
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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
