Education is a Human Right

This is a speech given in solidarity of Richmond Teachers at the Richmond Branch of the Human Rights/Human Relations Commission on Monday September 21, 2009

Human Rights Commission 9-21-09
For 16 months the teachers of West County have been working without a contract. The possibility of a strike looms over this labor dispute like a Kansas tornado. Not unlike a tornado a strike will reek havoc on the students, teachers and all of their families. However this strike is about more than wages, seniority rights and health benefits. This strike is for the children. Should the teachers fail to win concessions the children will suffer through increased class sizes for the next four years and possibly longer. With an already failing school system we as citizens of West County cannot allow this to happen. Children have a right to an education. This right is guaranteed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26. Should the teachers lose in the current contract dispute our children will suffer another, significant blow to their chances of obtaining a meaningful education.
The School District’s policies significantly impact our children’s self esteem and sense of possibility for their future. The way the school treats the child - whether there are books and supplies for that child, how crowded his or her classroom is and if the teacher has the time to address there particular problems - these are the things which communicate to the child whether he or she is valued, respected and cared for. If schools function merely as institutions to house our young people until they can legally leave, if teachers serve solely as babysitters and later as guards what hope is there for our children? What will be their fate?
This Commission must stand in solidarity with the West County School teachers and their struggle for a fair contract in general and their demand for no increase in class size in particular. For the school board to suggest there is no money for the teachers and children of West County while we live in the shadow of one of the largest corporations in the world is to accept institutional injustice and abdicate our obligation to the children, parents and teachers of West County. I suggest you immediately call for a special meeting to address this issue. I would suggest that the Commission call a press conference, issue a statement of support explicitly defining the school contract issue of as one of human rights. The failure to provide meaningful education is one critical way in which society creates social conditions which breed gangs, violence, drug addiction, despair and youth suicide. This Commission can be part of a process of re-conceptualizing issues of economic justice as part of the movement for basic human rights. The Commission could forward a declaration of support for the teachers and students to the Richmond City Council. The Commission should write a commentary in the Bay Area News Group papers supporting the teachers and students of the West County Unified School District. I know the Commission is made up of capable, caring and concerned citizens. I’m sure if the will is there you will be able to find ways to provide support for the children and their teachers. Thank you.
　
　


Charles T Smith