In summer 2020, following the atrocities committed against African Americans and others, high school history teacher Camille Butts emailed her superintendent to propose the district recognize and participate in the annual Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. Butts, a member of the Association of Colton Educators in the Inland Empire, borrowed language from other CTA efforts to present a resolution to the school board, which approved it.

“That February I utilized the BLM at School guiding principles as introductory lessons and put them into my activities for the week, highlighting African American contributions,” says Butts, who recently became co-chair of CTA’s Racial Equity Affairs Committee (REAC) and also serves as chair of CTA’s African American Caucus. Her lessons, of course, extend well beyond the week and Black History Month, and continue in 2022. As she explains, her growth as an activist and educator led her to speak up and take action.

On why she became an educator

I made the decision when I was in second grade. I enjoy explaining things and making connections, helping people achieve their goals and dreams.

On why she’s an activist

Wrongs happen, and people need to take their experience to the right people so reparations can take place and the wrong is corrected. It’s challenging, because you become the person whom everyone tells, “You’ve got to get this fixed.” Advocating for people and finding solutions have positive aspects, but it’s also limiting when people think you have all the decision-making power.

On getting past challenges

Working with people of different backgrounds, experience levels and life experiences and finding commonalities takes many more skills than I ever thought. For example, I’m involved with the Democratic Central Committee, and building bridges between radical factions and skeptics is hard. You have to keep your perspective and work on what’s attainable.

On involvement with the union

My union helped while I was coaching at my school in a traditionally female sport, with differences in expectations and pay between male and female coaches across all school sports. I became much more involved in the union after that.

On gaining confidence as an activist

In my 10-year career I’ve undergone a progression to where I can confidently address BLM at School principles and the value of diversity. Three years ago, for example, I was not confident talking about Black LGBTQ+ and trans people because I was scared people in my community would not understand and I would get into trouble. Now I feel supported by my district, as well as by my CTA family and their actions.

On leading REAC

As co-chair of REAC, I work with the other ethnic caucuses to monitor ethnic minority representation and advise the CTA Board in addressing the needs of California’s ethnically diverse student and educator populations. I’m hoping that California will soon meet its NEA bylaw goal [3-1(g)] of having our Representative Assembly delegation reflect the ethnic minority population of the state.

On how to attract and retain more Black educators

There are financial aspects that need to be figured out. Barriers to higher education, which seems to be the only route to becoming an educator, limit access. Having role models in administration and classrooms can show Black students that this career is an option.

On finding support and motivation

Seeing all the ways my CTA friends and family are walking the walk motivates me. So does my work with the American Legion Auxiliary, which supports military families and encourages civic engagement especially among rising high school senior females. ALA volunteers — heads of companies, local elected officials, educators — put themselves out there to make change. Parents, friends, church, faith all help.

CTA Human Rights Department works with the Racial Equity Affairs Committee and local Equity Teams to host Tuesday Takeovers for Racial and Social Justice, webinars on multiple topics that welcome all. Webinars are recorded. Watch “Unapologetically Black,” a conversation with CTA Black, female educators and leaders moderated by Camille Butts, at cta.org/reac.