Vocal members of the Black and Latinx group made it completely clear that they see HISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ plan to remove librarians on 28 campuses and convert their libraries into detention facilities as a direct transfer to additional gas the school-to-prison pipeline.
Surrounded by elected officers, HISD dad and mom and group activists, NAACP Houston President Dr. James Dixon issued a name to motion for all Houstonians appalled by Miles’ plan to converge on HISD’s Hattie Mae White Constructing (4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092) on Aug. 5 at 9a.m. to demand a coverage reversal.
“Nelson Mandela acknowledged that the clearest depiction of a nation’s character is seen in the way it treats its youngsters,” mentioned Dixon. “That should sink in deeply as a result of what we’re witnessing presently in HISD are actions in the direction of our youngsters which might be past egregious.
“It’s with nice concern for our youngsters that we, the Houston NAACP, together with our associates specific our sharp disagreement with the choices made by state-appointed HISD Superintendent Mike Miles. The considered closing and repurposing libraries in faculties will not be solely insulting, nevertheless it’s additionally repulsive. It reveals a measure of disrespect and disrespect for our youngsters’s have to have entry to one of the best and most purposeful libraries and faculties out there. And that features skilled workers.”
Dixon was joined by a number of folks outraged by the thought of closing libraries in predominantly Black and Latinx faculties, calling out what they see as an apparent racial part to Miles’ plan.
U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; District D Houston Metropolis Councilmember Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz; state representatives Alma Allen, Jolanda Jones, Christina Morales and Ron Reynolds; activist SisterMama Sonya; Houston Federation of Trainer President Jackie Anderson and lots of others spoke and/or confirmed assist for these gathered on the NAACP Houston Department headquarters for a press convention saying their most up-to-date grievance with Miles, HISD and in extension, Mike Morath of the Texas Training Company (TEA) who oversaw the takeover of the biggest college district in Texas.
Dixon mentioned in keeping with the US Nationwide Fee on Libraries and Info Science, college libraries are crucial for pupil achievement, and that analysis carried out nationwide in additional than 60 research reveals, “college students in faculties with good libraries be taught extra, get higher grades, and rating larger on standardized testing than their friends in faculties with out libraries,” underscoring the significance of college libraries and librarians.
“Right this moment, we’re right here as a result of regardless of the analysis… the state-appointed HISD superintendent is main on this district to… hearth librarians and to repurpose that area to take care of youngsters with self-discipline challenges. The detriment such a call can have on the mental, psychological and emotional growth of our youngsters is astronomical and generational,” mentioned Dixon, who was not alone in his disgust for Miles’ latest announcement.
“I feel it’s abhorrent additionally to have the adverse connotation of disciplining youngsters in a library,” mentioned Evans-Shabazz. “Are you attempting to get them to not take part in what’s occurring within the library? Actually, [you are] when you create a system the place they’re considerably incarcerated, so to talk… And within the phrases of [Mayor Sylvester Turner], you [Miles] have crossed the road. And we’re right here to push you again like [Abbott’s agents pushed back] the kids on the Rio Grande.”
Evans-Shabazz and Allen recalled librarians who made a distinction of their lives. Evans Shabazz, a former studying trainer at Flemming Center College, talked about librarian Margaret Hutchins. Allen recalled that MacGregor Elementary’s now-retired librarian Cheryl Hensley invited Allen to learn to MacGregor college students yearly, and labored magic for these college students.
Houston Federation of Academics President Jackie Anderson mentioned Miles opens each public assembly by itemizing the studying deficiency numbers of NES campuses.
“In line with the introduced numbers, a major variety of fourth and eighth graders in HISD usually are not studying at their grade stage,” mentioned Anderson. “To take away librarians and libraries is an oxymoron. Mr. Miles, college libraries are very important for selling literacy, fostering the love for studying and supporting college students’ educational and private growth. To show them into college prisons destroys any hope that college students within the NES campuses will ever learn on grade stage or develop a love for studying.”
Jackson-Lee reminded attendees they nonetheless have a voice in HISD insurance policies.
“A state takeover doesn’t silence the voice of the stakeholders,” mentioned Jackson-Lee. “It doesn’t shut the door to listening. As a result of keep in mind, the tax {dollars} usually are not rescinded. The tax {dollars} usually are not waived. We’re nonetheless paying tax {dollars}.”
Jones shared a number of private testimonies, one in all actually rising up within the basement of the TSU library as her mom, who labored there and couldn’t afford childcare, introduced the kid Jones along with her. The opposite concerned her work whereas a member of the HISD Board of Trustees and being advised data she couldn’t imagine—that there have been a number of faculties in her district with out functioning libraries.
“I knew nothing about no libraries at my faculties, as a result of it by no means occurred to me {that a} college wouldn’t have a library,” mentioned Jones. “I ended up discovering out Yates didn’t have a [functioning] library [a room with no books]. Sterling—they actually constructed a brand new college at Sterling with no library. I needed to battle for them to create an open-concept [library] as a result of the varsity was already constructed. Attucks ain’t had no library, and no extra-curricular actions both. And Cullen Center College ain’t had no library. So, I began rallying people: ‘River Oaks obtained a library.’ Individuals don’t need to say this, however the white faculties have libraries. In the event that they took libraries from white faculties their dad and mom would go nuts. So, I fought to get libraries at Yates, Sterling, Cullen and Attucks. So, I take this actually personally.”
“In case you don’t learn at grade stage by third grade then that’s how they construct the prisons. And let me be clear, as a felony protection lawyer, I characterize these children who’re under-educated. And most of my shoppers can’t even learn their plea papers. I’ve to clarify their plea papers to them as a result of they can not learn,” added Jones.
Dixon, who mentioned a library e-book on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. he obtained within the fifth grade modified his life, and led him as a baby to decide to a lifetime of service, known as enterprise, religion and group leaders to lend their voice towards Miles’ library/detention middle plan on Aug. 5.
“In case you care a couple of youngster’s future in any respect, it’s best to add your voices to ours,” he mentioned.
