Dear LEAD NetRoots partners and colleagues,
For the second time in the last 16 years, a presidential candidate has won the White House while (apparently) losing the popular vote. Many of our LEAD Chapters around the globe are looking at the U.S. democracy having become a circus. Many have not only held their breath, but also their noses, and have described themselves as witness to the decline of freedom and democracy in our times.
For some, President-Elect Trump’s race-baiting rise marks the death of post-racial America; yet how can you discuss the "death" of something that never really existed in the first place?
Although it’s too soon to know what are the implications of this new presidency, many of our student communities across our networks have reacted with fear and anger to the election results, feeling under threat with the President-Elect’s promises of race/nationality or religious-based persecution, such as our DREAMers and Muslim students.
Read transcript of his 100-day plan: http://www.npr.org/2016/11/09/
The divide is not between two political parties. The divide is between those who want to live in a democracy, and those who don’t.
LEAD NetRoots is putting forth this statement that the outcome of the presidency will not change our commitment to social justice, self-determination, inclusion, and the betterment of our communities. We will continue to work in a non- and bi-partisan manner to promote a broad-based awareness of the crisis in Latino Education and to enhance the intellectual, cultural and personal development of our community's educators, administrators, leaders, parents and students. We will hold to the common values of freedom, democracy, respect for the rule of law, and the dignity of each and every human being, regardless of their origin, creed, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, or political views.
We are the broad spectrum of researchers, teaching professionals and educators, academics, scholars, administrators, independent writers and artists, policy and program specialists, students, parents, families, civic leaders, activists, and advocates. In short, those sharing a common interest and commitment to educational issues that impact Latinos.
The LEAD Organization serves as a primary site for a set of innovative and productive programs, publications and events in Latinos and Education. These projects involve significant participation of faculty, students and administrators, as well as partnerships in the region and nationally, and strong interactive connections with Latino networks in the U.S., as well as Latin Americans and Indigenous Peoples throughout the Americas and the world, many whom are already in contact with LEAD personnel and the university.
In terms of moving forward - don't be fooled! LEAD is about ACTION!!!
The LEAD projects have enacted the necessary groundwork and campaign for our extraordinary new future. Our NetRoots movement long decided that we no longer have to jump in front of trains or dodge bullets to convince others of our orientation to action. Put simply, the LEAD movement engages- and believes that the singular accomplishable solution to our educational dilemma lies in community activism and democratic participation.
For our U.S.-based LEAD Chapters outside California, who may be looking our way for some guidance, please see these recent statements pasted below from various state- and national entities that are reinforcing a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
We also encourage campuses to expand upon the concept of “Campus Sanctuary” as a strong message of support for our students, as well as a clear declaration that we will not participate in any attempt to deny our students their right to an education in a dignified future.
- University of California statement on presidential election results, UC Office of the President
- Joint CSU/CSSA Statement on the Presidential Election, The California State University
- California Community Colleges Reaffirm Values of Inclusiveness and Diversity Following Presidential Election
- Joint Statement from California Legislative Leaders on Result of Presidential Election
- HACU President Antonio R. Flores on the 2016 election
Thank you - Gracias, EM
Enrique G. Murillo, Jr., Ph.D.
Executive Director, LATINO EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY DAYS (LEAD) ORGANIZATION
College of Education
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Bernardino
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