Black Lives Matter Week of Action will now be celebrated during the first week of February by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
In June, Santa Monica High School alumni Leilah Franklin and Chandler Kennedy began a petition that has since garnered more than 800 signatures. As alumni of Franklin Elementary, Lincoln Middle School and Samohi, Franklin and Kennedy previously said they have witnessed the impacts of stereotyping and prejudice firsthand while they recounted tales of pep rallies and other school-sanctioned events that today would come across as insensitive.
In recent weeks, Franklin and Kennedy have been joined by residents who also wish to see SMMUSD declare black lives matter, and the group got their wish Thursday when the board unanimously voted to pass a resolution declaring the first week of February as “Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action.”
“Although we have a lot of work to do, I’m really proud of the youth of all ages, (who) really took this mantle on and wanted to address racism,” Drati said. “There was a group of alumni that approached us about this resolution and we happily accept it as adopted.”
After a short video depicting the Black Americans’ fight for equality, Franklin took the podium to express her feelings on the long-awaited action.
“This is a small step,” but one that is necessary if America is to ever achieve the bright future it seeks,” Franklin said. “Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action demands us to look at ourselves, acknowledge our ignorances and learn for the better… I look forward to future collaborations and have been honored and impressed by the district’s receptivity. So, thank you,” because this is certainly a step in the right direction.
“It is an absolutely necessary step because no educational institution should be a place that makes you fearful,” Kennedy previously said as she described campuses as places that should uplift and empower children.
Local parents agreed when they spoke during public comment. One noted there is still a ways to go but she is very happy to see Black opinions being validated and that the district is offering every voice a seat at the table.
Board member Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein thanked students and the community for being supportive and patient with the process.
“Black Lives Matter — BLM,” Tahvildaran-Jesswein said as he described the value of social justice. “And this means together we will continue our walk down the path of justice.”
Drati added before the conclusion of Thursday’s vote that the district intends to have a further discussion on race and social justice during a board of education meeting scheduled for Aug. 25.
brennon@smdp.com