A tearful conversation in the hallway – “They’re making us decide by Friday. I don’t know where I will go.” Powerful words from a student – “If we are the future, then why are you firing the people that help the future?” Grief, disbelief, but above all else, fury & righteous rage have gripped the Detroit education community these past few months. Surrounded by our allies and a handful of union members and parents who stayed to watch the final blow, we listened as the school board voted 6-1 to pass the budget as if they were reading off a list of medication side effects.
Months had been leading up to this moment. Detroit Public Schools Community District announced back in April that it would be laying off hundreds of support staff for the 2023-24 school year. Those primarily affected were Black women. Hundreds of layoffs during an educator shortage – it sounded ludicrous. We brought our rage to the board meetings. The more hopeful moments were April and May’s energetic board meetings; forcing union leadership to support our May rally; winning back our Attendance Agents (40 jobs); the solidarity between unions in the district and our refusal to let them pit us against each other. The moments of darkness were slideshows full of suspicious numbers that went by too fast; confusion; fear and pain over the loss of our coworkers; frustration with union leadership. The strike-worthy layoffs became one more bullet point in a long history of capitalist strangulation of Detroit Public Schools and the bereavement of black youth. Even knowing our slim chances, we made public comments at board meetings – speaking to and assuring each other. In a sick capitalist world that lies and tells us “there is not enough”, we assured each other “yes there is!”
One thing is clear – they fear our power. The past few months have been a rollercoaster of highs and lows – mostly lows. But we rank-and-file punched well above our weight. We took back much more than the ruling class had wanted to give. We got away with it while disorganized – what could we win if we actually were organized? We rank-and-file WILL take our union back. We WILL unite with the parents here in this city who care so deeply for their children. For decades, parents & rank-and-file educators have fought to take back what’s ours. This young unionist is honored to stand alongside them and no longer fears failure – but instead fears what would happen if we gave in to apathy. The fight is worth it.
“I just got one question to ask you. Ain’t ya’ll tired? Ain’t ya’ll tired of all the mess nobody sitting up there can solve and we have to come out like we’re doing today to let them know that we are really in charge. … until we get it in their head that we pay the money, that it’s our school, it’s our students, and it’s our money – that’s power.” – Mama Moore, parent & activist
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