Unions, in theory, are a democratic organization focused on organizing and mobilizing as they are smaller chapters in different states and cities working for collective interests. However, with the rise of neoliberalism, unions have become politicized and areas of infiltration for businesses and philanthropists. At the surface level, neoliberalism allows for pumping money into schools which seems charitable, but it is detrimental to the one last public system in America. Since unions have become somewhat ineffective because of their focus on leadership and narrow-minded areas and goals, Lois Weiner and the National Coalition of Education Activists discuss social justice unionism which includes parents, community members, teachers, and puts social justice issues at the forefront. This organizing approach encompasses anti-racist ideology and working collectively to put an end to privatization. BMORE is a self-described social justice caucus.
Social justice unionism is a bottom up organizing approach within a union that seeks to create “a democratic and equitable society and allies itself with other movements also working for social justice, peace, and equality” (Weiner 2012). Social justice unions allow for a greater coalition among the larger community by including teachers, parents, labor unions and community members. The union functions to address the concerns of community members, address systemic racism and advocate and fight for a just and equitable society. The National Coalition of Activists key components include: defending rights of members while fighting for the rights of the broader community, promoting alliances between parents, labor unions and community members, uniting all staff members at school, putting teachers at the center of school reform agendas, encouraging curricula that promotes racial and gender equity, forcefully advocating for a radical reconstructing of American schools, and educating members to fight for social justice in all areas of society (National Coalition of Education Activists 1994). BMORE promotes these key components in their mission statement and functions within the union but creates alliances with parents and community members to formulate their demands.
Since BMORE is a caucus of the Baltimore Teachers Union they function as a social justice caucus, not a social justice union. However, through their work in the caucus they seek to transform the BTU to a social justice union. Besides the hands on organizing pertaining to schools, the caucus work includes holding the union accountable and creating pressure from within to make change. This vision of becoming a social justice union has become seemingly more possible under the new union leadership of Diamonte Brown.
BMORE also operates under Ella Baker’s organizing model of participatory democracy. Participatory democracy has three principles: an appeal for grassroots involvement of people throughout society in the decisions that control their lives; the minimization of hierarchy and the associated emphasis on the expertise and professionalism as a basis for leadership; a call for direction action as an answer to fear, alienation, and intellectual detachment” (Mueller 79). Participatory democracy is an important tool of social justice unionism to decentralize leadership, involve community members in conversations and policies of their school, and include community members as important partners in taking action to meet demands. Ella Baker focused on creating chapters throughout the United States that would connect with SNCC and SCLC, but would be focused on organizing for their specific region. She believed that “people [are] able to analyze their own social position and understand their collective ability to do something about it without relying on leaders” (Payne 893). Baker believed that having centralized leadership would weaken a cause, while having decentralized leadership and giving power to the people would be more effective in producing local change. Similarly, BMORE is a chapter of UCORE, and led by a seven person steering committee. While UCORE is the national organization for Rank-and-File Educators with a social justice union and participatory democracy framework, the BMORE caucus and their focuses on issues unique to Baltimore. BMORE has decentralized leadership, but is guided by a steering committee that is responsible for communication within the caucus and with community partners which is crucial to organizing and mobilizing.
Social media is an important tool for communication used by the BMORE caucus. Their Facebook and Twitter accounts are active for spreading their petitions and platforms for all to see and sign. They also amplify voices and causes that further their abolitionist, anti-racist and pro-democratic pedagogies. Social media is also a place for spreading the word about mobilizing and demonstrating at protests, showing up to meetings open to the public and increasing attendance at launch parties. One of the biggest challenges BMORE faces is working within a system of structural racism in Baltimore. That’s why their principles include counteracting Baltimore’s history of disenfranchising people of color and advocating for policies that address social and economic challenges of the neighborhoods and city. It’s important to recognize that BMORE alone will not radically change the conditions for all students in Baltimore City Public Schools. That will require commitment from government officials in Baltimore to address housing inequality, food insecurity and economic inequities. However, BMORE can work to make public schools a place where students feel that they matter and where educators feel supported in their classrooms. Working within the BTU and Baltimore is not an easy task, but through public support via petitions, demonstrations and meetings, BMORE has been able to add pressure to these groups to create change.
While some of these initiatives may seem radical to some, BMORE has had several successes. In 2019, a year after the Equity Policy and Platform was proposed, Baltimore City Public Schools adopted an Equity policy, stating:
The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners (“Board”) acknowledges the historical, generational, and compounding reality of the systems, structures, and practices that have intentionally created and continued to afford advantages to some groups while perpetuating racial inequities for others. Baltimore City Public Schools (“City Schools”) must take action for removing, and actively repairing these inequities to ensure positive educational outcomes for children (BCPS Board Policies & Regulations).
Additionally, implementation of the policy includes creating culturally relevant instruction, training teachers to be racially competent, ensuring resources are distributed equitably, and recruiting teachers and administrators of color (The Annie E. Casey Foundation). Each year, the commissioners will issue a report on whether they are meeting the goals of the equity policy. In a district that normally has little accountability, this report will be a large step in holding the commissioners accountable for change and progress.
In February 2020, Baltimore City Public Schools participated in the Black Lives Matter Week of Action along with 30 other cities across the country. Black Lives Matter in schools is important for abolitionist teaching, teaching and promoting anti-racism, and amplifying student voices, especially students of color. More recently, in October 2020, BMORE held a virtual launch party to promote their petition for their Police Free Schools Campaign. The launch party centered around a panel with the coauthors of “The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Corrupt Police Squad” and was able to reach a lot more people through its virtual format. This Police Free Schools campaign has garnered a lot of support especially in tangent with nationwide conversations about defunding the police. Progress is never quickly achieved in education, but BMORE’s commitment to participatory democracy and social justice unionism has certainly shaken up the system.
Image: https://roadtoliberation.org/working-peoples-assemblies/