Now perhaps more than ever, our students are witnessing ongoing police violence against defenseless Black citizens and peaceful protesters across the nation as well as here in Charleston, where, sadly, it continues our city's 350 year history of human trafficking, slavery, Jim Crow, covert discrimination, and racist terrorism.

As educators, particularly here in Charleston, it is our duty to tell our students in no uncertain terms that such violence is not only wrong, but must be opposed. 

Our legitimacy in the eyes of all our students depends upon it. If we choose to be silent or ambiguous, they will be left to wonder what our position is–or worse, presume that we condone the violence they see.

As educators, parents, and concerned citizens, we request that the Charleston County School Board make a public statement that:

1. denounces police violence in all its forms.
2. affirms unequivocally that Black lives matter.

We know that such a statement is but a small step in the work to be done. We also know that the district is currently busy planning a safe return to school. But history is unfolding before us and we must speak up now. Our children need to hear us.