Our hearts have been heavy as we have tried to absorb more senseless killings of Blacks and African Americans, and the outrage those acts have sparked throughout the country. While the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has generated the most national attention, other recent killings — from Breonna Taylor in Louisville to Tony McDade in Tallahassee — have directed even more public anger against police and our justice system.

I became a teacher because I believe passionately that education is the great equalizer in our world, and that every child deserves a life of equal opportunity to thrive. The systemic racism against Blacks and African Americans that continues to permeate our society and result in horrific violence is the antithesis of every value I hold dear, and of our values as an organization.

For years, we have worked hard at Clackamas ESD to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the vibrant ethnically and culturally diverse communities we serve. I can’t begin to imagine all my colleagues of color are feeling and experiencing. But I can pledge this: We will stand firm against racism.

In an already challenging year, we as a community are doing even more soul-searching. As my colleague Matt Utterback, North Clackamas School District superintendent, so eloquently put it, “How many more African Americans must die before we have the collective courage to examine, and then change, the systems in our society that enable such trauma to be perpetuated again and again upon innocent people?”

All of us can and must do better to create a world where every person is respected, and every life is valued. Clackamas County education leaders are proactively engaging their teams and their communities in recommitting to the important work of dismantling systemic racism. I want to share some of their heartfelt words.

-Jada Rupley, Superintendent

 

We, each of us, chose to be public school educators because we believed in equal opportunity, access and possibility for every child.  Now, more than ever, we need to put our stake in the ground and stand for inclusive practices, an elimination of systemic racism and a more just society.
Kathy Ludwig, superintendent, West Linn-Wilsonville School District
Too many African Americans in our country live in fear of losing their lives simply because of the color of their skin. Certainly, not only African Americans suffer from senseless violence, but if we are committed to uplifting and honoring our African American students, families, and staff, we must be honest and acknowledge what they know to be a fact — racism is ever-present in America, and its impacts are deadly.
 Matt Utterback, superintendent, North Clackamas School District
We recognize that it can be difficult to discuss race relations. You are in such an important role as your students turn to you to better understand our world. Thank you for being who you are, for caring, and for facilitating so many important conversations with students.
Lora de la Cruz, superintendent, Lake Oswego School District
Students of color and their families are a vital part of our Gladstone school community. To them we say, “We see you, we hear you, and we stand beside you.” We remain committed to dismantle racism in our schools and to help its survivors heal from their trauma.
Bob Stewart, superintendent, Gladstone School District
As I watched the protests over the weekend, I felt sick seeing the anguish racism is causing and understand the rage taking place across the county. The hatred and disrespect against black Americans are intolerable. For those of you who live in fear and pain, I make a commitment to not only bear witness, but also to enact change in areas where I have influence and power.
Tim Cook, president, Clackamas Community College