ELPASO: An anti-racist organization committed to the Latino parent voice
We feel called to action as we observe the strength and passion of the people marching with signs, expressing their frustration and indignation toward the never-ending mistreatment of people of color by police.
We begin by expressing support for the African American community. We ask that police and sheriff’s departments and the elected officials to whom they report, across our country, take a step back, reflect upon their behaviors and fears, and take responsibility for any and all racist actions. They can do better.
Our organization, Engaged Latino Parents Advancing Student Outcomes (ELPASO), is a Latino-run, Latino-staffed nonprofit with a multi-racial and multi-ethnic governing board. We challenge ourselves and our neighbors across Boulder County to think about each of our roles in perpetuating the systems and structures that have led to these protests. George Floyd was the spark, but the constant barrage of daily aggressions people of color face in our community and across this country is the powder keg.
Our staff and the Latino parent leaders we support are afraid for their children. They are mad. They are furious about the injustice they see and the racism they experience against them. Every one of them has personal stories tied to this pain.
We are providing our parent leaders the space, time and opportunity to speak up, to recognize their feelings, and to express their thoughts. We are committed to supporting them with the strategies and techniques necessary to have these hard conversations with their kids.
We are committed to collaboration and listening, to elevating all voices in our community - not simply the dominant one, to deepening our understanding of anti-racist actions and ideals as an organization. This kind of treatment of people that are non-white is racist. We as an organization are committed to stand as anti-racist. This is what we will teach and hold our community to.
In solidarity,
Tere Garcia, Executive Director
Chris Barge, Board President
ELPASO - Engaged Latino Parents Advancing Student Outcomes