Dear AFT 2121 siblings,
Many of us are feeling a lot in reaction to the election including grief and fear. There is no doubt that the federal election results mean that public educators and the communities we serve are going to be facing serious challenges. But we want to make one thing clear: as faculty and as union members, we are not giving up on each other or the struggles ahead.
The labor movement will be a key site for challenging right wing attacks on our communities, and we will rise to the occasion because we know, when we organize as educators, speaking to the real and urgent concerns of our students and our communities, we win. We have successfully defended Alan Wong’s seat and the forward looking, pro-labor majority on our Board of Trustees.
For the second election cycle in a row, AFT 2121 has been able to achieve victories in our college board races despite otherwise bruising local election outcomes, even in a broader political environment rife with extraordinary campaign spending and dog whistles. We were able to do that because our members turned out, week after week, to make this happen. And it’s clear, given the national results, that our community college, like other institutions of social life that meaningfully connect people to each other, is going to be essential to our collective cohesion and resistance.
We have successfully defended our college so that we can be here to serve and stand for our community in the difficult years ahead.
This is a scary time for many of our communities and students, especially for our immigrant, BIPOC, queer, and trans students. Let’s begin the work of breaking isolation, connecting people to one another, and showing up for our students now.
Many of our students are scared and unsure what to do about it. As public educators, we have the opportunity to see that in our classrooms–students can break isolation, connect, share grief or fear and hear each other’s perspectives. And AFT 2121 will be working with campus partners to help connect our members to resources that can help us better support our students now and in the years ahead.
—-
How can I help?
Invite students to process what they are feeling in group and one-on-one settings.
Encourage students and colleagues to seek out & build supportive community.
Share the following resources with your students (more to come!):
Learn more about the City DREAM program
Post Election Q & A: Know Your Rights, TODAY at 11AM (See below)
Follow Us!