“Invisibility has consequences” – Maria Hinojosa
AMAE joins with other advocacy groups such as Californian’s Together, Learning Rights Law Center, and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund) to advocate for the fair treatment and research-based “Best Practices” for Latino children in school.
At the local level, AMAE attends school board meetings and other school events, as well as meets with school officials, parents and school staff in order to keep abreast of current issues affecting the education of our Latino youth. AMAE advocates on topics of concern as needed.
VICTORY FOR DACA and LBGTQ COMMUNITIES
The month of June 2020 will end in historical landmark victories for our LBGTQ+ and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) communities. The Association of Mexican American Educators, Inc., Oxnard Chapter, applauds our Supreme Court Justices for supporting these communities and future generations.
Our LBGTQ+ community will now be protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, national origin and sex, applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In a 6-3 decision, Justice Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion. We celebrate this long-awaited victory.
Close to 700,000 DACA recipients received a reprieve when the Supreme Court upheld the decision to uphold the 2012 DACA immigration relief program. DACA recipients receive temporary protection from deportation and the ability to rightful employment. Recipients must renew their application every two years.
“Arbitrary and capricious” are words used by Supreme Court Justices ruling in support and preserving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). U.S Supreme Court Justices Roberts, Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan ruled against the Department of Homeland Security and that the Trump administration violated the laws governing federal agencies when it decided to end DACA.
Our Dreamers have succeeded in completing their education by earning degrees in various fields such as law, engineering, medicine and teaching. They are contributors to our society. This fight is not over. There needs to be immigration reform which will give them a path toward citizenship. Looking over your shoulder should not be a part of life especially in a country they call home.
We stand with our DACA brothers and sisters. Today, DACA recipients will sleep at night.
¡Que Siga la Lucha! Get out the vote in Nov!
BLACK LIVES MATTER
The Association of Mexican American Educators, Inc., joins in solidarity with the pain, grief, and anger felt by millions of people across the globe following another tragic killing of our African-American brother, George Floyd, at the hands of police brutality.
As our nation faces a worldwide pandemic, the murder of George Floyd adds yet another layer of angst to the crisis. A traumatized nation stood shocked – as we witnessed the slow demise of George Floyd – taking to the streets, raising our voice, asking for justice, and pleading for reform.
What is needed now is action. There needs to be accountability and responsibility at all levels of our bureaucracy embedded with systemic racism. It is only when these laws prohibiting this barbaric misconduct are in place and people willing to implement them, will we see change. If we do not act, we may be next.
It lays heavy on our hearts as our youth witness this behavior. One that we have fought against for decades in hopes of bringing change to our community and society.
As educators, social justice and inequity need to be part of the students’ education to bring an awareness to the injustice we have witnessed and continue to witness today. We must become a united and inclusive family willing to stand up for our sisters and brothers. A united nation is our vision, but what we see is division due to our lack of vigilance. Each of us must teach by example. Humanity is not one of color, creed, religion, or politics. It is about people, human life, and our human family. During this time of crisis, we need to stand together not be divided by racial injustice and discrimination.
We stand for humanity.
We stand together with our Black brothers and sisters!
ADVOCACY EFFORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY
AMAE has been supporting a 6th grade student and her teacher from Haydock Intermediate School. The student requested OSD to change the Haydock name due to the history of the individual it was named after. She became curious as to the origin and through research came across Dr. David G. García’s book. Strategies of Segregation: Race, Residence, and the Struggle for Educational Equality https://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520296879. Appalled by the racist and injustice treatment of Latino children, she bravely approached the board to change the name.
After almost 6 months, Dr. Morales, OSD superintendent, finally placed the item on the board agenda for discussion and possible vote to proceed with the process. This was a call to action to our members to support the student and her teacher in this effort.
The item was on OSD agenda (5/15).
#haydockschool #oxnardschools #oxnardhistory #cityofoxnard #richardbhaydock #peopleshistory #namechange
Amazing victory for young Kimberli & Desiree!! On May 15, at OSD board meeting, they both did an extraordinary job of presenting facts to the school board on the racist actions of Richard B. Haydock. OSD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move forward with the process of renaming Haydock school. Kudos to their teacher, Ms. Lauren Mendez, for supporting and encouraging the team.
AMAE is proud to support and encourage our young leaders. While this vote and direction won’t erase the discrimination and atrocities endured by our young Mexican students, it is a move forward to opening conversations to examine the history and inequality in education.
Building stronger communities for our children to live and strive is AMAE’s mission. We appreciate our members who attended the board meeting. Kudos to our speakers for sharing their comments and bringing a different aspect to the issue. Let’s keep el “Fuego Nuevo” lit!!!
Si Se Puede!!
AMAE Oxnard Chapter hosted a parent workshop on immigration rights. We thank the United Methodist Church, 1801 No. Joliet Pl., Oxnard, for opening their doors. We appreciate Delia L. Franco, Immigration Specialist Attorney from the Franco Law Group in Los Angeles, who shared her expertise on immigration rights. Attorney Franco helped parents with information on what to do if they are faced with deportation. Most importantly, how to prepare family members.
AMAE provided guests with “Know Your Rights” cards to share and refer to in the event ICE knocks at their door.
Know your rights in the event of an ICE raid.
Conzoca sus derechos en caso de una redada.
Association of Mexican American Educators - Oxnard Chapter 