Reflection by: Zuleima Marin Cortez

At the 2023 Annual Color of Education Summit, featuring a discussion of “Nothing About Us Without Us”: A Community Lawyering Partnership to Address Disparities in Short-Term Suspensions | “Nada sobre nosotros sin nosotros”: Una asociación de abogacía comunitaria comunitarios para abordar las disparidades en las suspensiones a corto plazo. With Letha Muhammad, Jenice Ramirez, and Hetali Lodaya. Education Justice Alliance is a non-profit organization that works to address system inequities within the educational system that disproportionately impact Black and Brown students, and those with disabilities. 

Co-executive director Letha Muhammad opened up the discussion by explaining that the educational system should be responsive to the needs of the community, and that Black and Hispanic/Latinx families are the experts of their own experiences and their voices should be at the center of all decisions about education. Co-executive director Jenice Ramirez followed up by stating “We believe that all students deserve a fair and just education, and we work to dismantle the systems of oppression that prevent them from reaching their full potential. We promote racial, socioeconomic, and gender equity.” They briefly explained the history of education in the U.S, who it was created for and the current state of education and the impact on North Carolina Schools. 

The impact felt today: Lack of Diversity in teacher pipeline. States and local governments must invest in programs that recruit and retain Black, Brown, and other minority teachers. Data show more than 50% of public-school children are nonwhite, but only 21% are teachers. Difficulty accessing higher level courses: Black students are 23% less likely than white students to take an honors course. Schools with the highest number of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous people of color) students offered substantially fewer honors courses than their white counterparts. Excessive disciplinary actions: In North Carolina, Black students receive 54.9% of all short term suspensions, even though they made up only 24.8% of the student population in 2019-2020. 35% of student suspensions were students with a documented disability. Disproportionate referrals in special education: Black students are two times more likely than other students to be identified under Emotional Disability (ED) or intellectual Disability (ID) compared to all the other racial/ethnic groups combined. Black children with

autism are five times more likely than white kids to receive the early intervention that can make a crucial difference in their long term development. 

Attorney Hetali Lodaya said “…we don’t usually get taught in law school that we can be lawyers for groups of people. We need to go into Social Justice work with humility and an open mind. It’s important to work with and not for our communities.” Hetali talks about the importance of advocacy and how community members, parents, and educators can advocate for changes in local and state policies regarding school discipline. This might include advocating for restorative justice practices, increased funding for support services, and transparent reporting of disciplinary actions. Co-executive director Jenice Ramirez said “We are stronger together.” 

Addressing disparities in short-term suspensions with Black and Brown students requires a sustained commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and culturally sensitive educational environment. Collaboration between schools, communities, families, and policymakers is essential to implement these strategies effectively. “Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” – Malcom X