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RPS fired my union president...Help us Fight Back!


I've had so many thoughts and reflections concerning this turn of events. It will take me some days to process it all, collect my reactions, and ponder next steps.

In the meantime, I offer a metaphor by way of this image found on Reddit. Whether or not it is real, I hardly care.

They tried to chop off our president by the knees. Her union comrades, here in Richmond, in Chesterfield, and further afield; and her community, including elected officials like Kenya Gibson and school board candidate Charlene Riley, have all stepped in to lift her up.

We're not going to let the REA President get chopped down.  We are going to supply her the spiritual, emotional, and collegial support she needs to survive this attack.

This retaliatory strike against the REA president was never about just one person. This was a signal to anyone who might be thinking of assuming a leadership role in our union that they will be immediately placed on a [metaphorical*] hit list. This is a classic union-busting move. 

I'll probably be updating and adding to this post over the course of the day. In the meantime, please sign THIS PETITION to defend organized labor in the City of Richmond:

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-the-richmond-school-board-grant-union-leaders-work-release


*Why did I insert the entirely unnecessary disclaimer/modifier "metaphorical?" Because lately we’re experiencing hypervigilance over our word choices.  Even in the context of a free speech resolution passed by the RPS School Board, union members are on the receiving end of punitive actions based on the most draconian interpretation of protected speech. For me, in addition to being silly and time-wastey, this feels intensely racist. Our overlords are constantly inflicting real-world, life-altering damage on our colleagues and students, but when we describe these actions using language anyone would agree is metaphorical, we are smacked down.

All of this is part of the campaign to tamp down on the growing power of the labor movement. If we have to parse our words to the nth degree, we lose one of our most powerful tools to effect change - the power of language.

RESOURCES:

https://richmondeducators.org/free-speech-resolution/

https://richmondmagazine.com/news/news/speaking-out/

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/rps-teachers-claim-fears-of-discipline-prevent-them-from-speaking-out-on-issues/



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