Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racism Resources

Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School Statement on

Justice for George Floyd in support of Black Lives Matter

George Floyd, an unarmed black man, was killed while in police custody on May 25th, 2020 in Minneapolis. Since his death, movements, protests, and riots have swept through the nation, demanding justice for Floyd and prosecution of the officers responsible. Police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested Friday afternoon after riots burnt down a police station in Minnesota’s third precinct late Thursday night.

Orthopaedic Medical Magnet High School Faculty and Staff would like to take a moment to reflect on the tragic death of George Floyd. Floyd, 46, died on May 25th, 2020 in Minneapolis. He spent his final moments pleading for his life as an officer held him down, pinning him to the ground with his knee. His last words were “I can’t breathe.” Floyd’s pleas were ignored. His eyes shut, the pleading stops, and he was pronounced dead shortly after.

The faculty and staff condemns the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Once again, police brutality has taken the life of one of our Black men, shaking the nation with grief and outrage. We are saddened by this loss, and deeply disturbed by the persistent racism and aggression among some of those who are charged to protect us and keep us safe. 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.

George Floyd is no longer with us, but his death has 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	Carin Truong
L. Steven Delgado	Andrew Fleming	Miguel Morales	Avinash Bhamra	Derek Steinorth
Aaron Warren	Leanne Setiarto	Nathan Brown	Shannon L Davolt	Ana Ortiz
Susy Guevara	Grace Chu	Estela Donlucas	Veronica Rodriguez	Mark Kaplan
Stever Leung

If you have seen the video, 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 in Minneapolis, MN, where George Floyd was killed while in police custody on May 25th, 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. Here are some resources to help us do that:

Justice for Floyd, Ways to Act Now!