10:00 AM

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(left to right) Barrett and CORE Communications Secretary Kenzo Shibata standing in solidarity with their brothers and sisters at SK Tools when they were on strike in Summer of 2009.

Saturday, February 27th, 2010, Sean (Xian) Barrett spoke at Operation Push, asking the audience to support the Chicago Public Schools, even in the wake of the Board’s claims of a budget shortfall that will force major concessions from the CTU and from the students we teach. His marks are reprinted below.

Good Morning Rainbow Push and the good people of Chicago. When Rev. Jonathan Jackson walked into my classroom, I was a little surprised—I was in the middle of giving a quiz on Japanese Grammar. Now, as a high school teacher, I don’t really feel comfortable speaking to crowds over the age of 18, but as Reverend Jackson emphasized, we must all stand up and speak to defend these schools or be complicit with injustice.

My name is Xian Barrett and I’m a teacher at Julian High School and a proud member of CORE—a group in the Chicago Teachers Union not afraid to fight for the community and the students of Chicago. Most of all, I’m an adult ally for Chicago Youth Initiating Change, a student group some of whose leadership you’ll hear from today that has been fighting Ren2010 and school closings over the last several years.

I found success with these amazing youth through a simple strategy: I listened to my community. I learned from the experienced African American teachers, and the wisdom of the community leaders who surround Julian. I learned the most by listening to our outstanding students.

The mayoral-controlled CPS board does the exact opposite. It discusses its plans behind closed doors with members of the elite and inflicts them upon the communities of color of our city. In many ways, it’s not a new story. These same elites and powerbrokers have abused our communities since before many of us in this room were born. They are hoping that we will be so desperate that we will again swallow their lies and turn on each other.

It’s happening even this very moment. CEO Ron Huberman is telling “Chicken Little” stories that we have a billion dollar deficit and that we will may have to increase class size to 45 students per classroom. Of course, last year, when there was no deficit, I had 46 students in an introductory Japanese course. And there were some math classes with 60. Yet, he continues to blame the experienced Black teachers instead of his own mismanagement of the funds. Look at CPS’ own budget which this year boasts a $422 million increase in “Other Charges”.

This is a lie to divide us. The CPS leadership is like a gambling addict, trying to blame the unpaid light bill for why there’s not enough money to feed the kids. They have gambled our children’s education away through expensive, experimental programs like charters and turnarounds. The data says they have failed. Our hearts know they have failed. Why do you think there are no charters and turnarounds in rich white communities?

They have fired thousands of outstanding black teachers while hiring more failed business people from outside our community as consultants and managers. They are food bank operators who sit with their friends in the office eating prime rib while the people starve outside.

There are two differences between us and them. First, we are motivated by love. I spend 16 hour days away from my lovely wife out of love—love for my students and love for her as I want to be able to face her when I get home. The students get up at 5 in the morning and continue their activism after school out of love. You all support your community school and came out today out of love. And love conquers tyranny.

Secondly, we have the courage to see this through. Unlike the board, who ignored the community to approve the destruction of 8 schools, we have the courage to meet each other in sunlight and have the tough conversations about what our children need. Unlike those who are too scared to even come out to our neighborhoods, we come together to improve those schools.

And yet, as of today, the official record still says that come June those communities will be destroyed. We must not allow this atrocity to occur. We must stand together—parent, student, community member, teacher and union leader and do whatever it takes to defend our children and our schools. We have all seen the devastating effects of turnaround and closure and we must join together and say, “Not one more school!”

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When: Saturday, February 6th, 12 noon

Where: 2^nd floor Conference Room, Operation Push 930 East 50th Street

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