Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racism Resources

Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School

Statement in support of Black Lives

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, thirteen people were shot, 10 of them killed in a racially motivated hate crime at supermarket in Buffalo, New York. The suspect, who livestreamed the attack, is believed to be the author of a white supremacist manifesto. He scoped out the grocery store, drove 200 miles to get there and intentionally planned out the attack.

Orthopaedic Medical Magnet High School Faculty and Staff would like to take a moment to reflect on the tragic deaths of 10 people and 3 others who were injured by gunshot wounds on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

The faculty and staff condemns these hate-motivated murders. Once again, hate-filled white supremacy has taken the lives of innocent people, shaking the nation with grief and outrage. We are saddened by this loss, and deeply disturbed by the persistent racism and aggression among our fellow Americans. We cannot tolerate these injustices.

These tragic events must serve as a reminder that we still have much work to do in creating more inclusive environments – for our students, our community, our nation and our world. As a school, we have a responsibility to make sure we are doing our part to foster empathy and kindness.

Our classrooms (and online spaces) serve as a gathering place for much more than education – they help us all recognize, understand and appreciate our differences. We continue our commitment to help our students learn about our country’s long and continuing struggle to live our ideals of liberty and justice for all.

These 10 human beings no longer with us, along with the 9 people murdered in the racially motivated mass shooting at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015, as well as Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, Trayvon Martin in 2012 but these deaths have left us with a clear affirmation that bears reaffirming today – Orthopaedic High School continues our daily work to be a safe and welcoming place. We believe deeply in ensuring students are healthy, supported, engaged, challenged, safe, and socially and emotionally intelligent. Our district has put policies and practices into place to make sure that everyone in the LAUSD community has the opportunity to learn and work in an environment where they are treated with dignity and respect, free from bullying or harassment. LAUSD does not discriminate on the basis of color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. We know we have work to do to ensure we reach our aspirations for our African American and Black students.

To all our African American students and staff: you matter. Black Lives Matter. We see you, and we support you.

We are Orthopaedic, and we stand together.

Signed:

Diana McClean	Scout Wodehouse	Vanya Hollis	Heidi Mejia	Gustavo Barrientos
Socorro Plazola	Rachel Varty	Harry Wodehouse	Hannah McDowell	Leila V Tran
Charles Duque	Nate Goza	Tara Morris	Liem Tran	Brooklyn Agbtaekwe-Richmond
L. Steven Delgado	Andrew Fleming	Miguel Morales	Avinash Bhamra	Austin Bustillos
Aaron Warren	Leanne Setiarto	Nathan Brown		Ana Ortiz
Susy Guevara	Stever Leung	Estela Donlucas	Veronica Rodriguez	Avinash Bhamra

If you have seen any videos of violence, please DO NOT REPOST on any social media. Seeing violence done to Black people is traumatic. These videos are not entertainment, nor should they be used to “prove” that Black people should not be murdered. No one deserves to be killed. If you need mental health support, please contact LAUSD Mental Health Hotline or the Crisis Text Line.

Helpful Resources and Links:

Here is a link to amnestyusa.org about safety if you choose to participate in a protest
ACLU video about rights and risks of participating in a protest

TOOLS TO UNLEARN and FIGHT RACISM

Given the recent events, it is important that we all find ways to reflect and unlearn the deep systemic racism that exists in this country, while simultaneously taking action to stand up for justice.