[video description: Janette sits in front of a light colored wall. Her hair is down and she wears a sweater. She signs the following message in ASL:

Script:

“In the midst of a pandemic and racial tension, we are faced with unprecedented challenges to our democracy in ways that we may have not imagined possible for the United States. California Educators of the Deaf (Cal-ED), is in solidarity with all efforts to educate and provide awareness regarding the recent abhorrently violent and disturbing attacks of domestic terrorism. Our world is watching and so are our children. We seek to provide a supportive space for educators and to support the sharing of accessible resources. As the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) declared, “Our democracy will stand firm. as long as [we] continue to stand up for it.” Remember that silence is choosing the side of the oppressor. White supremacy has no place in public education. National Education Association (NEA) President, Becky Pringle stated, “We must come together, to show our students and children, that we know what keeps us safe.” Let’s be vulnerable as humans to have meaningful dialogues on yesterday’s insurrection. We encourage you to work together and to look after one another through the next few days by taking the time for self-care, while caring for our students and educating them on what American stands for in these pivotal times.”]

—— Spanish : En medio de una pandemia y de la tensión racial que hemos estado experimentando, nuestra democracia se enfrenta a retos inimaginables y nunca antes vividos por la nación de los Estados Unidos. Nuestra organización, California Educators for the Deaf (Cal-ED), se solidariza con los esfuerzos recientes que buscan educar y proveer concientización sobre los inquietantes ataques y la violencia abominable de los actos terroristas internos ocurridos. Tal como el mundo observa con atención estos eventos, así también lo hacen nuestros niños. Es nuestra meta proveer un entorno seguro para los educadores y continuar difundiendo recursos pertinentes. Tal como afirmó la Federación de Maestros de California (CFT):

“Nuestra democracia permanecerá firme, siempre y cuando continuemos defendiéndola”. Recuerde que quien se mantiene en silencio se pone del lado del opresor. La supremacía blanca no tiene lugar en la educación pública. La presidenta de la Asociación Nacional de la Educación, Becky Pringle dijo: “Tenemos que unirnos para demostrarle a nuestros estudiantes e hijos que entendemos bien qué es lo que nos mantiene seguros”. Pongamos al descubierto nuestra vulnerabilidad humana entablando diálogos sobre la sublevación que tuvo lugar ayer. Le animamos a que trabaje en esto en conjunto con otros y a que se ocupen los unos de los otros tomando tiempo para el cuidado de su salud mental. Esto mientras cuidan de nuestros estudiantes y les reafirman lo que significa ser americano en estos tiempos tan cruciales.

Janette Durán-Aguirre

[Video Description: Janette, a brown skinned Mexicana, is wearing a v-neck shirt with curly brown hair down. Her background is light gray.
Video Description: Janette, a Mexican brown skin, wears a V-neck shirt with curly brown hair down. Its background is light grey.

Video Description: Lauren, a white freckled female, with auburn shoulder length hair, is wearing a long-sleeved black turtleneck. Her background is grey.
Video Description: Lauren, a white freckled woman, with long hair up to auburn shoulder, wears a black long sleeve turtle neck. Its background is grey.]

Lauren and Janette take turns signing the following statement in ASL.

Cal-ED is in solidarity with #BLACKLIVESMATTER. We know that words and hashtags are not enough. We intend to actively share resources and create spaces of critical dialogue among educators and students to acknowledge the harm caused by inequities, bias and racism.

In Deaf education, we know all too well that silence or remaining neutral is the equivalent to choosing the side of the oppressor. We know that barriers and systematic oppression goes back generations. The time is now. Education IS political and it is time we take a stand.

As humans, we are deeply affected by this. We are furious. This is unacceptable. As educators, we know our roles are crucial right now. As an organization, together, we will continue this call for justice and plan to hold each other accountable for a better future - it starts with us. Together, we will work towards JUSTICE and understanding within our INTERSECTIONAL communities and we are committed to action. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ACTION. #JusticeforGeogeFloyd #JusticeforAhmaudArbery #JusticeforBreonnaTaylor #JusticeForTonyMcDade #DeafEd #CalED4BLM

Cal-ED stands in solidarity with #BLACKLIVESMATTER. We know words and hashtags are not enough. We plan to lead the way by actively sharing resources and creating spaces of critical dialogue between educators and students to recognize the damage caused by inequalities, prejudice and racism. In Sordxs education, we know very well that silence or staying neutral is the equivalent of choosing the side of the oppressor. We know that barriers and systematic oppression is from generations ago. The time is now. Education is political and it's time for us to take a stand. As human beings, we are deeply affected by this. We're furious. This is unacceptable. As educators, we know our roles are crucial right now. As an organization, together, we will continue this call to justice and plan to take each other responsible for a better future-start with us. Together, we will work towards JUSTICE and understanding within our INTERSECTIONAL communities and we are committed to action. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ACTION. #JusticiaporGeogeFloyd #JusticiaporAhmaudArbery #JusticiaporBreonnaTaylor #JusticiaporTonyMcDade #DeafEd #CalEDporBLM