Fighting for the vision of equity

The place where minorities find themselves today "has not been by accident," says Cheryl Brown-Henderson, daughter of one of the plaintiffs in the Brown v. Board of Education suit 50 years ago.

The campaign to win equal access to education was part of a series of challenges mounted over many years, she told delegates attending the June meeting of CTA's State Council of Education.

The people who joined in the suit were "ordinary people in the midst of extraordinary change." What they didn't know was how committed others were to "holding on to certain privileges."

Voters in the November election should be mindful of the suggestion that the nation return to the "good old days," she cautioned. "Just ask, 'Good for whom?'"

Even though there are many battles still to be fought, especially in the arena of equal access to education, Brown-Henderson believes the nation is not interested in going back to the days of privilege for only a few.

On a similar note, CTA President Barbara E. Kerr told Council delegates the

Brown

decision was not the result of the actions of one person. It was the result of many people working together over a period of years, "struggling to end segregation in our schools and in our country."

They succeeded because they were part of a network of people committed to achieving their vision. "They were ready to stand together to fight for that vision for a better America. That's how I see CTA. We are fighters, too. We have a vision of a California where every child regardless of race, ethnicity, sex or sexual orientation receives a quality education, and where every teacher receives decent treatment and good working conditions."

That vision, she said, "is definitely worth fighting for."

Values dear to the hearts of the people, like educating the nation's children, should not be bipartisan issues, said another visitor to Council. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer said President George Bush's actions speak louder than words. By flat-funding public education, she said, he is "breaking the promise we made to children."

To enthusiastic applause, Boxer explained how she's a poster child for public education. Teacher support is vital in her fight to hold on to her seat in Congress against challenger Bill Jones.

Boxer reminded Council of her strong record in the U.S. Senate on education issues. Her amendment to the federal No Child Left Behind Act will provide after-school services to 3.5 million students by 2007, and she is now proposing that college tuition be tax-deductible.

Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, who shares CTA's Legislator of the Year Award with Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, also spoke highly of his public school background, saying his teachers really earned their pay for putting up with his devilish nature. He reminded delegates that "nobody has greater influence" on the youth of the nation outside the immediate family than educators.

In other business, Council took positions on two initiatives on the November ballot.

CTA is already on the record supporting a referendum on the November ballot to keep legislation signed into law by former Gov. Gray Davis that creates a mandatory employee health care benefits program for employers with 50 or more employees. The California Chamber of Commerce and other business interests are leading the fight to overturn this law.

Council voted to support the mental health initiative to expand health services for mentally ill children, adults and seniors by imposing an additional 1 percent tax on those with taxable income over $1 million.

After discussion, Council voted to remain neutral on a tribal gaming issue. The Gaming Revenue Act of 2004 would use 25 percent of tribal casino revenue to fund local firefighting, police and child protective services agencies.

In addition, Council delegates approved spending $3 million for the fall 2004 campaign.

Council also took the following actions:

• Elected Eric C. Heins as CTA/NEA Coordinating Director, Carol J. Mathews and Greg Bonaccorsi as NEA Alternate Directors, and Patrick Riggs as District A's CTA/ABC member.
• Re-elected Dianne K. Jones to CTA's Board of Directors (District P).
• Presented awards to state WHO winners, outgoing Council and CTA/NEA Board members, and political activists.
• Endorsed 11 candidates for seats in the state Legislature.
• Approved the CTA budget for 2004-05.
• Approved two bylaw amendments, one dealing with membership in CTA-Retired and the other dealing with the term of office for the NEA director who serves on CTA's Board of Directors.
• Voted to support the Million Workers March Oct. 16, and encourage members to attend or take local action to condemn attacks on organized labor and related goals.
• Voted to send a letter to Cintas CEO Richard Farmer urging him to respect the rights of employees wishing to organize and be part of a union.