Remarks to the Select Committee on Boys and Men of Color 2/21/2014

Shocking statistic released today: Black students represent 18 percent of preschool enrollment but 42 percent of preschool students suspended once, and 48 percent of the preschool students suspended more than once.

I have a 2 year old son– Eric Emile Arceneaux Retana. He is both African American and Latino— and he deserves a quality education. And I am here for him to make sure he flourishes as he grows into a beautiful man of color. And I am here for him– as every father is for his child.

But to be honest, even with the challenges in front of Emile, he is going to be alright. He’s is not low-income, he is not in the foster care system, and is not an English learner— if anything he will likely be bilingual.

Don’t get me wrong, he will have his hurdles, but not like many of the other children we are here to speak for today. There are many children who won’t have the same choices as Emile– and I want him to live in a society that values all children, not just those who have the privilege of choice because of their economic standing.

California has an opportunity to change this equation. But, its taken some time.

Since even before the Great Recession, California schools have not seen their fair share of resources.

California continues to rank near the bottom in the nation in per pupil spending and we continue to struggle to dramatically improving the educational outcomes of children of color and low-income children of any color.

It is within this context that Community Coalition joined up with Governor Brown, community organizations, labor unions, and leaders from across the state to pass Proposition 30— because we know that resources are a part of the solution.

This was a proposition that was backed by 75% of African Americans, 61% of Asian and Pacific Islanders, 53% of Latinos, and 64% of individuals making less than $50,000. It is this multi-racial coalition that is working to create more resources for our communities.

The passage of Prop 30 laid the material basis for LCFF to even exist. So in many ways, we are organizing to reap the rewards of our hard labor.

Now, we are more than optimistic due to the opportunity that LCFF creates for our communities.

LCFF is groundbreaking—because it acknowledges that high need students need more than high expectations— they also need our highest level of support.

It is groundbreaking, because it acknowledges the importance of local control—and the critical role that communities, parents, and students play to improve the educational outcomes of our children.

Year after year, children of color and low-income children struggle to make dramatic gains in academic progress such as graduation rates and college going rates—this is not because children continue to fail, but because we continue to fail our children … we fail to equip them with the quality schools and educational experience they deserve and have a constitutional right to.

LCFF fits right in line with our commitment to Boys and Men of Color – because it recognizes that when we invest in those who live on the margins of disparity, we help all of California—be it environmental conditions such as propensity to violence and the trauma created by it, or health related disparities such as obesity and asthma, or economic conditions or academic outcomes— we know that low income youth, English Learners and foster youth– deserve far more than we are giving them

Because of its ground breaking impact, LCFF is a game changer— but it is also a HISTORIC opportunity. It is up to all of us to ensure that it is implemented well, and that it has the return on investment we expect.

With this in mind the Brothers, Sons, Selves coalition made up of many of the constituents in this room—has made series of recommendations to the LAUSD and Long Beach Unified— two of which I will share today.

1) Number 1: We need our districts to truly target those most in need—and rise above and beyond the state minimum standards—or regulations – on how we target the money. We are crafting an “Equity Index” or distribution formula— that is rigorous, bold, and courageous. It would take into account environmental factors such as propensity of crime and low health indicators— as well as looking towards poverty data, not just Free and Reduced Lunch, for identifying concentration of poverty. And we are going to push our district to ensure that foster youth get the resources the need as they are at the bottom of almost every academic indicator we measure. (Take a look at the maps)

2) Number 2: Leverage LCFF to help fully implement many of the recommendation this select committee is advancing at the state level regarding the implementation of policies such as restorative justice, PBIS, emotional supports, and dropout recovery to ensure our children are not left behind.

We need your help—to continue being a voice for our children—and continue the task at hand—to truly live up to the President’s call— and to most importantly, live up to the needs of our children and our future.

We are just days away from celebrating the life of Cesar Chavez— a man of color who was courageous, bold, and willing to sacrifice his life to ensure a people could participate in the promises of the American Dream— let’s remember his legacy, as we are presented with tough choices on how to best implement LCFF— and stand on his shoulders in making bold, courageous decisions in the best interest of our children.

Thank you

 

The Serendipitous Meeting of Jeannie Oakes

Statement Given Honoring Jeannie Oakes as she received American Educational Research Association’s Social Justice Award, April 2013.

In the summer before my senior year of high school, I was on a mission to make things better for the Latino community. I was one of a small number of Latino students “on-track” to go to college. This was not simply because of choice, but by design. My high school was tracking only a handful of Latinos for college, while the vast majority of Latino students were graduating with only the basic diploma the leaving them ineligible for entrance into four year universities.

That summer, I went to a legislative youth conference in Chicago where our assignment was to draft bills and ground them in research. I went to DePaul’s library and found just what I needed: Keeping Track: How Schools Structure Inequality by Jeannie Oakes. I wrote my bill, used the research, got it passed, and was on my way to de-tracking America’s public schools.

About 7 years later, as a community organizer at Community Coalition, African American and Latino students in South Los Angeles brought the same issue of access to the table. Except that this time these issues were not put on the table at a nice conference or a fancy university library, but at a community meeting. They were put on the table with the expectation that something could be done to change the daily experiences of students attending the some of the nation’s most forgotten schools in South Central Los Angeles.

We took our students to Sacramento to educate elected officials on the lack of access to college prep coursework. On the one hand, it was an infuriating experience, as many of the white elected officials opposed our idea and reminded us that they still need people to wash their cars, do their lawns, and clean their homes.

On the other hand, it was inspiring, and opened my eyes to the power of white progressives who are willing to stand up and fight for racial equity. There she was. A scholar. An academic. A professor. She stood in the legislative chambers of California sharing her research, and how this data supported the notion that college prep classes out to be accessible to all students, not just a privileged few.

Jeannie was eloquent, brilliant, moving, and unafraid to place her research in the center of what once was a losing debate.

I was moved. I was inspired. I began to believe that change might be possible. Not only did we have the stories and experiences of the youth and parents that were demanding access; not only did we have the backing of a few elected officials; but we now we had the research and data of an esteemed scholar from UCLA!

This moment represented a new beginning. It was the beginning of a new model for creating change in our public schools. It was a paradigm shift that unified community activism with research/data. It was a move that brought down walls that for many years separated the people and experience of South Los Angeles from the great research in the Ivory Towers in Westwood.

Not only did it make praxis a reality, but this paradigm shift built leadership, grassroots movements, and changed public policy in ways the improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of youth and families.

Activists, researchers, professors, elected officials and others often sit around dinner tables and ask “what if.” We ask probing questions, pontificate how things should be and imagine the possibility.

Jeannie Oakes takes these conversations to the next level. She actualizes change. She turns ideas into reality by challenging all of us to up our game, do more than just talk, and creates opportunities for collaboration to solve problems.

Serendipity is a word I choose to describe my relationship to Jeannie because it was only years after working with her that I realized she and I had crossed paths when I was a teenager. And, as I tend to reject metaphysical explanations for almost all things, there is very few moments when I am reminded that perhaps there is something far greater than all of us working here.

And for that, I thank you Jeannie. Thank you for your craft and its everlasting impact. And, I thank you for your ever-growing presence in my life and life mission to bring equity and racial justice to our communities.

 

simple misunderstandings are never quite so simple

Three weeks ago I was almost kicked out of a bar in a gentrifying neighborhood of Los Angeles. To the neutral observer one can conclude, that this was a simple act of misunderstanding. But to a person, like myself, who is neither neutral nor quiet about race, it was far more.

Here is how it went down.

After a long days work, I decided to stop by a neighborhood bar for a drink. I made my way to the back patio where I like to just lounge.

I asked a fellow for a lighter to have a smoke (I know, I should not be smoking, but that’s for another discussion). When I handed the lighter back I did so in a clumsy, awkward way, missing his hand once, and eventually making it into his fingers.

A woman from behind the bar says, “That was the worst hand off ever.” And I laughed, replying, “Tell me about it, that was horrible.”

I made my way to a bench to sit, when I noticed her coming from around the bar with a smile and said, “I am Theresa (not her real name), the manager tonight. You know, that was a terrible handoff.” She smiled again and forced out a light laugh, “and you know we don’t allow for that here. If you want to stay you are going have to get more drinks and leave the bar a big tip.” Then she left and went back to the bar.

This was an interesting interaction. It was unclear and confusing but interesting. She was warm and welcoming. I felt good inside, and even thought to myself… “Is she flirting with me?” This is just weird.

I went to order another beer. She said five bucks. I gave her ten and asked for three back. She made a face as she handed me my change. I said, “Was that not enough?” Theresa replied. “Are you serious?” This time, there was no smile and a pretty strident tone. I said, “I guess I am?” She then forcefully grabbed my beer and tossed it into the trash and asked me to leave.

What in the world?

I was in shock. Totally thrown off, as I have never been thrown out of a bar before (this is for Emile in case he ever reads this), I asked why I had to leave. I asked, “What did I do. What just happened?” She raised her voice and said, “I told you what happened when I came over to talk to you. Do you want me to tell you in front of everyone at the bar?” I looked around and noticed that the majority of the bar was white and just looking at me. One woman was shaking her head with disgust. I said, “Please enlighten all of us.”

At that point, I was ready to engage. Find out what was going on, and see if this was a prank. The crowd around the bar started participating in the conversation. One woman asked me to leave, while another dude asked me to leave the bartender alone and to just move on. It was as if there was a mini-rally brewing and I was the target.

But still I had no idea what was going on. Theresa came from around the bar again, and pulled me to the side to “manage” me. She continued to speak vaguely on the situation, so I pressed he to tell me what happened. She again mentioned the hand off, and clarified for the first time that she, her security, and the people at the bar saw me dealing cocaine.

WHOAH! Cocaine. Dealing in a bar. Really? I mean really? I tried to clarify what happened about the lighter. After about 15 min we reached an alleged understanding that there was a misunderstanding. She took me inside to the other bar, and offered me a beer. I still felt like I was being managed, when the other bartender told her, “Great job handling that guy out there.”

So, what do I take away from this?

Why was I so upset? It triggered something. After the initial accusation I refused to leave, and let them win. I refused to just say whatever, and call it a night. Why did I not just leave, and say screw this place.

A small note on dealers… I don’t have negative feelings for dealers per say, especially when many folks do it to survive. In some weird way, I could have walked away saying that I was mistaken for Tony Montana.

But, that is not who I am. I have it much easier than Tony!

I did have issue with the way that I was accused and “managed.” Starting with the bribe to get me to give the bar big tips, and eventually with kicking me out, without ever really seeing any drug exchange.

At that moment, I hated that this bar, which five years ago used to be 100% paisa, and now has hipster gentrification nights. I felt it was sending me a message — and maybe it had been sending the message to others before that night. My gut was telling me that this had everything to do with race.

Maybe race had nothing to do with it. Perhaps everyone was colorblind except me. I own that I see color, especially when I feel “racialized.” And that night I felt racialized.

It is a similar, but distant experience that men of color have on the streets by police, neighbors, business owners, and the media. It should not come as a surprise to me, as I have had these experiences before (its been a while). And I got it easy— I was agitated but I was not kicked out in the end, or arrested, or beat up, or shot. So it was far from serious.

But, in the end it is gentle reminder of the system I am working so hard to take down, and how simple misunderstandings are never quite so simple.

 

Latinos, We Must Resist the Republican Full Court Press

There is going to be an unprecedented recruitment effort by Republican leaders to seduce Latinos into the GOP, but don’t be fooled.

It is the same party that despises the 47%, launched a war on women, and opposed health care for all Americans. It is the same party that does not support comprehensive immigration reform. It opposes the DREAM act. It opposes marriage equality. It believes vouchers are the solution to public education. It believes in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, because it is they who create jobs.

They will attempt to seduce Latinos by saying we have similar conservative values. They will attempt to change the face of Republicans by promoting their Ted Cruz’s, Marco Rubio’s, and the like. They will begin to run ads, and have a larger media presence. They may even attempt to pit us against other groups that make up the new progressive electoral majority by telling us we are more deserving and harder working.

Latinos must be ready. We must see look past all the sound bites and uncover the real agenda. Latino leaders must step up now and do the real work it to win the hearts and minds behind a platform that is truly allied to our values of hard work, sacrifice, family, education, justice, and fairness. We are community oriented, and prefer working in collectives, rather than individuals. We must resist the false pretense that Latinos are social conservatives that believe in rugged individualism.

We are a community whose moral and political foundation is based in helping others. A history of resistance towards domination rooted in the independence movements of our ancestral lands (much like the push for American independence from the British crown).

Now is the time for us to consolidate our commitment towards building an equitable and fair America. Building a nation that values the 47% and invests in fairness, family, and education. We must put our energy behind building a country that values the hard work of all people, and treats workers with dignity and respect, and sees the value in all people and things.

Don’t be fooled. Join me in an effort to resist the GOP, and advance ideas the pushes our nation towards a more compassionate America and towards a nation truly rewards hard work equitably, and fosters the democratic participation of all people.

 

It’s in the toughest times that we make the greatest contribution

Over 20 years ago, when crack cocaine was the news story of the evening, and public policy focused on the mass incarceration of African American and Latino men/women for as a response to this addiction crisis in our community, everyday people, did not have many places to go to express their voice.  Years before community organizing became popular and grassroots organizing a profession, Congresswomen Karen Bass formed Community Coalition (CoCo) as a way to galvanize people into positive social action.

Since then CoCo has organized everyday people to raise their voice when told to be silent, built a collective when told to act as individuals, developed the leadership of youth when told they were a throw away generation, and won policy changes and resource allocations when told it was impossible.

Victories like $153 million in school repairs for L.A.’s most dilapidated schools. … a college prep curriculum for all students in LA schools….  resources for families taking care of their grandkids…. shut down 150 liquor stores that served as crime magnets and re-enforced addiction…  helped start summer gang intervention strategy that has become a city model….and supported expanding career opportunities in the building trades for our high school graduates.

I am so proud to be a part of Community Coalition. CoCo is grounded in the community and is not focused in not in developing celebrity leaders, being a pundit on MSNBC, or in just advancing surface level band-aid solutions to deep rooted problems related to racism and poverty.  At CoCo, we are more interested in building a peoples’ voice… a peoples’ institution… a peoples’ movement.

If you have made it this far, thank you for reading.   What comes next requires you to act with your pocketbook.  So please stay with me.

It is with deep humility– that I ask for you to support our annual fundraiser by giving what you can…. $50, $250, or more.  It is tough economic times for all of us, so I know that this request is a sensitive one.  But it is also in these tough times, that we often make the greatest contributions.

If you are available on October 25 at 6pm please join us for our annual Gala Dinner– the People, Power, Progress Awards– as I would love to share our energy of social change with you,

Here is link, www.CoCoSouthLA.org/galadinnerform, with more information on Community Coalition and how to make a donation.

With hope,

Alberto Retana

 

Why I Vote

I have to be honest. For many elections, I spent more time turning out the vote, than actually voting. Yes, it’s a contradiction. But, to me, voting seemed too conciliatory. Neither major party represented my interests completely. And, regardless of party, politicians seemed to always go back on their word. Voting was a frustrating experience as I tried to express my civic voice.

Four years ago, things changed, and today I feel very different. I must vote.

There is just too much at stake… too much to lose… so much to win.

The future of our nation will be decided—laws, executive orders, Supreme Court appointments, budget priorities, how to approach deficit reduction.

I realize now something that I took for granted for many years. I realize that my individual vote is a part of a larger family of people who may agree with most or some of the same things I do, and together we can have an impact. Keeping my vote out of the ballot box does not help move my beliefs forward. It is not enough to convince others to vote, especially if I am not willing to do the same.

I am motivated by my desire to advance key issues impacting working people from voting rights to civil rights to gay rights to immigrant rights. These all matter to me, and much is decided in the political theater.

In California, my vote will help raise money for our schools, parks, and social services; end the death penalty; change three strikes; and, protect workers rights. Nationally, I want to make sure President Obama gets a second term.

I am motivated by the tea party, voter suppression, anti-immigrant, and anti-Black rhetoric. I believe that this must be defeated because it is the morally right thing to do.

I am motivated by the false belief by some that demography alone is destiny. Many Latino advocates believe that the growing number of Latinos will deliver change alone by the sheer numbers. But I believe different. I am motivated by history, which has taught us that the hearts and minds of a people must be won over, that political consciousness of a community must be nurtured and developed, and that voting patterns and values are built through a shared understanding of our struggle as a people, not just by sheer numbers.

Ultimately however, as cliché as this may sound, it is my one year old son, Eric Emile Arceneaux Retana, that motivates me the most.

I want Emile to grow up in an inclusive America, in a racially just America. An America, that positively embraces who he is, his culture, language, and heritage as an African American and Latino man of color. An America, that continues moving from being a tolerant nation to being an accepting nation. An America, that works to balance the unequal playing field between those who have less and those with abundance. An America, that believes that success is more than your paycheck, the size of your home, or what kind of car you drive, but rather one that embraces happiness, fulfillment, and our ability as a country to help other people, especially in times of need. An America, who’s government works for the people, takes care of them when they are down, and places people before profit when it comes to health care, education, and human development. I want him to live in an America where he can go to the university and not let money be a deterrent.

There are so many things I want for him, that as a father alone, I will not be able to provide. But with the help of my wife, other family, my community and our nation’s government, he can accomplish many things, and live in world that allows room for him to maximize his fullest potential.

This is why I am voting, and I will dedicate the rest of my life advancing these values in the voting booth, on the streets, in policy arenas, in my community, and hopefully with you.

 

Emile, You Are…

The socks to my feet
Gloves to my hands
Nostril to my nose
Sound to my ears
Taste to my mouth
Sight to my eyes
Blood in my veins
Air to my lungs
Stars to my sky
Moon to my night
Pillow to my head
Dreams in my sleep
Laugh to my joke
Belly to my tummy
Ice to my cream
Cherry on the top
Bounce to my ball
Reason for my joy
Meaning in my life
Black with my Brown
Love in my heart
Tear in my eye
Son in my life
Family with my wife

 

I was never meant to be in honors classes, but thanks to teachers I made it.

I was never meant to be in honors classes.  All throughout elementary and middle school I was in “regular” classes.   I never got F’s.  I was a C student in middle school with a couple of D’s and a couple B’s.  Lots of unsatisfactory marks for my behavior.

Paco, my older brother and graduate student at the time, panicked.

Weeks before my 9^th grade year started he visited my high school and asked about enrolling me in a college prep curriculum.  He asked about honors classes, and learned that the school had an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which is a pretty well rounded and rigorous curriculum for “advanced learners.”

Paco sat me down and talked to me about the program.  He told me that he got me enrolled in Spanish 3 (because we spoke Spanish at home), and of a placement exam for the IB program.  He handed me study guide for the biology exam.

For the next week, I memorized everything on the study guide.  I had no idea what any of the content meant.  So my strategy was not to understand it, but just memorize it.

I went in on Saturday morning for a four-hour placement exam.  Writing.  Math.  History.  Biology.

I did miserably on all of them except for one:  biology.

I was in… sort of.  I got into one class.  Plus, Spanish 3, which meant that in the 10^th grade I would be in AP Spanish Language.

On the first day of school, I went into Biology class and some of the students asked me if I was enrolled by accident.  They did not expect to see me there.  Ms. Oliver said there would be a quiz on Chapter One.

I remember studying so hard—trying to memorize everything.  But for some reason, it just did not work out.

I failed the quiz. I was so embarrassed.  I felt that maybe I should not be there.

Then Mrs. Oliver the biology teacher, and IB coordinator stepped in.   Told me not to worry.  She told me that I could do well, and that she would work with me before and after class if I wished in order to succeed.

Mrs. Oliver believed in me, regardless of my middle school performance, or rest of my schedule.  She encouraged me.  And told me I did belong.

Then there was Mr. Claremont, my Spanish teacher, who energetically reviewed Latin American and Spanish literature, occasionally spitting onto the front row of the classroom.  He was our very own Jaime Escalante, who focused on supporting Latino students, and creating a space for us to be proud of our history and people.

And of course Ms. Middleton who taught AP/IB English Literature.  Who taught with passion, and commitment pushed me to learn, and held me accountable without every turning her back on me.  I remember, she ushered me and three other students into another room and called us a bunch of a$%holes, and the next day asked me how I was and kept pushing me to learn.

And lastly, there was Ms. Zubko.  She was first year English teacher my junior year.  By then I had penetrated the honors classes in foreign language, history, math, and science… but not English.   I struggled to write.

She would come dressed as characters in Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Romeo and Juliet.  She was young, energetic, and so committed to being a great teacher.  She focused on my writing, and pushed me.  Eventually recommended and got me into AP/IB English literature my senior year.

I was so lucky to have these teachers.  Some students have none.  Some have one.  I had four amazing teachers look out for me.  My friends who dropped out had none.

Thank you.   Because of you, I went to UCLA.  Because of you, I was not placed in remedial education.  Because of you, I am a social justice activist.  Because of you, I fight for racial equity and to eliminate poverty.

I was never meant to be an honors student.  Thanks to my brother I got in.  Thanks to these teachers I stayed in.

 

Losing the Somewhat Trivial Things You Love!

One thing I hate to experience is loss…. who does right?  Even when it comes to “trivial” things like TV shows, movies, and books.  It’s sort of like ending a relationship with someone before you are ready to let go, or when you run out of ice cream on your cone, or right before the last bite of your favorite meal. 

So here are four shows/books that I mourned as losses, or am about to.  

Friday Night Lights

I totally loved the show.  The teenage years, sports backdrop, issues of class and race, cool characters, great storylines, and emotional pulls.  I miss Coach and his family.  I still miss the cool and broken Riggens, Saracen’s humility, and Vince’s resilience.  Maybe a little bit of Riggens will come out in John Carter. Clear eye’s, full hearts, cant lose!

The Wire

My favorite show, ever!  It’s raw, real, and just riveting.  It covered race, class, politics, power, change, media, labor, and education.  The power strugglers were priceless and the connection to the characters.  It is one of the most underated shows ever.  Bubbles, Daniels, McNulty, BUNK, Michael, Namond, Carcetti…. Shiiiiiiiiiiit.  Que viva Omar! 

Y:  The Last Man

This is one of my favorite graphic novels.  Imagine a world without men… a world run by women in a post-apocalyptic world where men are killed off by a disease, except for one.  Its funny, political, offense, and just cool bar talk with other nerds that love graphic novels.

Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

I have started reading the last book in the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King and I stopped when I realized that it was going to be over soon.  Then I find out a movie is going to be made…. YAY!… then that it is going to be put on the shelf.   Roland, Jake, Susannah, Eddie and Me all in one ka-tet seeking to save the universe from peril, and for Mr. King to keep us alive much like the Never Ending Story.

 

 

Public Statement at Millionaire’s Tax Rally

We are here today to support the Millionaire’s Tax Initiative, and start bringing an end to the catastrophic cuts that happen in our State every year.

There are far too many children of hard working middle and low-income families whose dreams are being deferred because our schools are underfunded. 

Too many families, hard struck by the great recession are being denied quality medical care, are having to wait in long lines in emergency rooms because of the cuts to Medi-Cal. People like Veronica Hines, who has yet to receive appropriate dental care due to cuts in Medi-Cal. continues to suffer from pain.  As public health experts have proven, lack of appropriate dental care can lead to more health ailments, eventually costing taxpayers more money.

There are too many community college and four year college students who can either no longer afford school or, if they are lucky, have to take classes standing, because of the lack of dollars we invest in their future.  One student from California Empowered, a statewide network of community college student leaders, posted a picture on Facebook stating, “I had to wait another year to transfer due to the lack of classes.”

I always hear about a time in California when schools were excellent, college was affordable, and people’s dreams were attained.  This is not our time now, but it must be the  California of tomorrow if we expect to be a state that fulfills its American promise of fairness and opportunity. 

The burden of making sure California’s budget is healthy has rested on the shoulders and hard work of middle income and working class Californians. 

It has rested on the hundreds of thousands of people who work two jobs to make ends meet. It has rested on the thousands parents that volunteer at schools to close the budget gaps and help children succeed. 

Its rested like boulder on the backs of our elders and seniors who contributed their lives to making our state prosper.  Or the young adults who have played by all the rules, gotten the good grades, but still cannot get the quality education they deserve. 

Not only do we work hard, but we pay our fair share.

It is for this reason that we support the millionaire’s tax.  It is time for wealthy millionaire’s to embrace shared responsibility and help build a California for all, not just the 1%.  It is time we bring more equity in our tax policy.  We are prepared to build a grassroots movement for justice, and ride on the energy of the 99% to help our state prosper once again.