I am super grateful to the Bakersfield Californian for covering the CSU strike and publishing my recent letter to the editor. Because of understandable word limits several important points were removed. For clarification, here is the unedited letter I submitted:
THREAT ASSESSMENT: THE RISK OF CSUB STRIKE
On April 13th,
California State University Bakersfield faculty will take part in a system wide
CSU strike. The Chancellor and several
CSU leaders have publicly commented on their concern regarding risks associated
with this legally sanctioned strike. As
a mother, educator, and lifelong Bakersfield resident, safety has been an utmost
priority as I have helped organize this event.
And though a peaceful event has been planned, I still continue to be
asked by community members and students if I am afraid?
The honest
answer is “yes.” I am afraid but it has
nothing to do with the looming teacher picket lines.
A few days ago I listened to testimony from a selfless CSU
Long Beach Sociology professor who physically removed a male student wielding a
knife from her classroom. I met her at an equity conference with college instructors
from all over the state who listened as she vividly recalled the fear she experienced for her
students. Within moments other
CSU professors stood to share
their stories of physical threats and violence they have faced in their classrooms. The
meeting ran far past its scheduled ending time, and still not all those waiting
to tell their stories of peril were heard.
I did not reach
for the microphone at this event, but this is not because I have not been
threatened as a teacher. However, the
point of this letter is not to insinuate that teaching in the CSU is always
unsafe. When K-14 school safety is
discussed, the fact that teachers put their lives on the line when threats of
violence occur is rarely mentioned. Coincidently,
now that teachers are prepared walk out of their classrooms if our contract is
not settled, finally “our safety” is becoming a part of the conversation. CSU
Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Lori Lamb reported at the recent Board of Trustees meeting they are
preparing to protect everyone during the strike with the maximum police
presence,
“Our primary focus on campuses is always the health and
safety of our students, faculty, and staff.
That will not change during a strike.
Our university police and campus security will operate at full capacity
to assure our campuses are safe and healthy environments for all.”
Over my last 10
years teaching at CSU, Bakersfield I have sometimes felt intimidated and even
afraid, but it has never once stopped me from entering my classroom. Similarly, no fear-mongering will stop me
from walking out of my classroom to improve my working conditions on April 13th.
I will always stand up, so that one day maybe my daughter will not have to.
 |
| My awesome daughter |
Still waiting for a contract CSU faculty are #cfaseeingred and ready to #strike #CFAfightforfive #CFA_News pic.twitter.com/Ns2CeLM7nz— Chris Cruz-Boone (@ProfessorCCB) February 4, 2016
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