District Social Justice Initiatives
Dear Colleagues,
I write to you today with several important updates on the district’s efforts to promote social equity on our campuses and in our communities. This work is more vital than ever, and our recent steps are part of a long journey toward “Being the Change” that results in broad, systemic improvement.
To signify our commitment to this ideal, I have arranged to have “Be the Change” painted on the roadways of both campuses, in 20-foot letters and the corresponding college colors beginning this week. Admittedly, I was moved by the mayor of Washington D.C. and acknowledge that this gesture is small in comparison to the equity work done each day in the classrooms and offices across our campuses. My hope is that we will all walk across the letters each day and be inspired to end institutional racism in this country.
I received over 100 responses in support of my email last week, and almost all of them expressed a desire to expand our collective knowledge base and to engage meaningfully in anti-racism work. To that end, I have designated this Friday, June 19, 2020 as a day of reflection for the entire district community in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday recognizing the end of slavery. All college and district offices will be closed so that we can engage in the scholarship, introspection, public service, or other means of personal enrichment necessary to help sustain us in the work ahead.
The district has joined the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center’s California Community College Equity Leadership Alliance to help us better develop and achieve equity goals and foster cultures of inclusion. Beginning this month, the center will annually host a dozen eConvenings, each on a particular aspect of racial equity. In addition, every member of the district will have complete access to the extensive professional development resources contained in the center’s Virtual Equity Resource Portal. Details will be forthcoming.
Under the leadership of Chief Rolen, our district police department has already implemented significant change to our internal policies: In keeping with law enforcement reforms taking place in San Francisco and other regions, we have revised our use of force policy to prohibit certain restraints. In the coming weeks, Chief Rolen and his team will convene focus groups across the district to gather input and recommendations to help us strengthen our commitment to community engagement and partnership. Together with our board of trustees, the leadership team is also drafting a resolution affirming our care and support for black students, faculty, administrators, and classified professionals.
In closing, I applaud the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today protecting our LGBTQ community from employment discrimination. Although the road is long, I am heartened that each victory like this brings us closer to the America currently outside of our grasp.
Respectfully,
Bradley J. Davis
Chancellor
West Valley-Mission Community College District
