Dignity in Schools Campaign – California held its 2nd Annual Statewide Convening back in June with attendance of over 30 of its members from regions and areas including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Oakland, the Central Valley, Central Coast, and Inland Valley.
The purpose of the convening was to strengthen DSC CA’s identity and create unity and solidarity of practice across regions. Key to the process of uniting and building solidarity in all the five regions (Central Valley, Bay Area, LA area, Central Coast and Inland Empire) was the confirmation of the DSC CA problem statement. It provided a shared understanding of the problem and a framing and focus of each region’s work.
Convening Highlights
One of the highlights of the convening was a presentation by Manual Criollo, a consultant to DSC, CA, and Carl Pinkston, coordinator of the Central Valley Coordinating Team, giving a Historical Analysis of Racism in Schooling. This presentation was a follow-up to the DSC CA “Never Again” Statement published in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Florida last February.
Other parts of the convening included presentations by regional members about their work and objectives. DSC CA members also gathered to discuss initial plans for the upcoming annual National Week of Action Against School Pushout! Members also formed various affinity groups to plan other convenings on the topic of parent organizing, healing, and Black love and affirmation.
