Dear FBISD Administration, Board of Trustees, and Superintendent,

Actively stand against Anti-Blackness, Racism, and Discrimination within the school district by implementing anti-racist policies and systemic changes. In tandem with the Profile of a Graduate, the district strives to produce compassionate citizens who “are empathetic to their fellow citizens, exhibiting care and concern for others; are inclusive and embrace differences; are culturally aware; actively engage in improving our diverse community; exercise their right to vote; and are dependable, respectful, trustworthy, and self-disciplined.” However, many students and alumni are not “inclusive and embrace differences” and “culturally aware,” as they continue to partake in racist, discriminatory behavior. In order to foster a group of genuinely empathetic, compassionate students, the district must take an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory stance.

Implement an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory curriculum to address the disparate impact of racially insensitive literature. With the current wave of movements, many students within Fort Bend ISD are cognizant of how their education was largely eurocentric, especially within social studies classes (i.e World History, Government). While students learn about Black, Indigenous, People of Color’s (BIPOC) history, it is limited to a whitewashed narrative of slavery and colonization; this narrative is dangerous as it allows teachers and students to rationalize and justify the colonization and destruction of various cultures at the hands of Western and White civilizations. Furthermore, research finds that the dominance of Eurocentric narratives leads many BIPOC students to disengage from academic learning.To address the inequities in the curriculum, close the achievement gap, set high expectations, and provide rigorous, culturally responsive curriculum, we propose the following measures be implemented:

Create an inclusive dress code for all races, sizes, religions, genders, and gender expressions. Numerous students have expressed and attested to the unjust, discriminatory treatment by administrators on the basis of attire. Dress codes across the nation, including our own, pander to White students, specifically White, cisgender males, removing the importance and respect of cultural and ethnic attire worn by many BIPOC students. This disproportionately targets female students and enforces compliance with arbitrary and rigid gender roles. Specific to our district, in 2016, an assistant principal within FBISD was recorded using demeaning language towards girls regarding dress code thus reaffirming the stereotypes and prejudices that come with such policy. Dress codes convey sexism with a male center gaze and racism with White middle-class norms that serve as a hidden curriculum with inherent biases.

Provide Greater Support and Spaces for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ students

Re-examine the relationship with School Police and Security in all FBISD Schools. In the wake of the recent murders of African Americans, students across the country call for their campuses to cut ties with police departments. We urge FBISD to re-examine their relationship with the police department.