Speaking Up and Taking Action Against Racist Teachers

04Jun
by Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Maya Angelou said it best.  When someone shows you who they are, believe them.  We believe that Michael Lopes, a teacher at Riverbank High School in Riverbank Unified School District has shown us who he is, (a racist) and we believe him. And as such we want him gone. Michael Lopes is a teacher in the district who has been called out for posting racist comments and supporting propaganda through his public Facebook page that was seen by students, parents, and teachers across the district. Even more unsettling is the fact that over 84% of students in Riverbank identify as a minority. As a Portuguese American, he should be ashamed to be showing his colonial DNA and supporting racism in America, but he isn’t, so let me be very clear.  We are happy to shame you publicly and demand your resignation or removal. And we do. People like this can no longer be tolerated in the classrooms of our most precious resources.  

In these times of uncertainty and at this time in history where we as educators can be allies to our children and their families, we need to step up for them — not to betray them.  Peaceful protesting is a protected constitutional right and Michael Lopes, a U.S. History teacher, incites violence by perpetuating the idea that we should run over peaceful protestors. This goes against everything our country stands for, furthermore, what message does this send to the students?

Wherever we see betrayal we will be calling for the removal of racist teachers.  We will no longer allow our children to be exposed to the long-standing institutional racism that prevails over our public education system in the same way it has in the police departments of America. 

Ya Basta!  

Our kids deserve the best role models possible. The last thing our children need is a racist teacher that doesn’t provide equitable opportunities to learn and succeed.

While bad and racist teachers do not kill kids, they are in fact killers of dreams, of hope, and of potential! 

Here is how you can help: Contact the Superintendent and the Board of Education on Twitter now:  

We urge you to contact the Superintendent, Ms. Chrisitne Facella (@cfacella), of the Riverbank Unified School District (@RUSDSuperinten1) and demand the immediate removal of this racist teacher and others like him that they encounter. 

Example: @RUSDSuperinten1 I am supportive of dismissing Mr. Michael Lopes, effective immediately! Racist teachers must be weeded out of all the classrooms in America.  Mr. Lopes must go!  #FireMrLopes #NoRacistTeachers #eraseracism 

Please use the contact information below to contact the Superintendent’s office.  

Darlene Ribeiro

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

     (209) 869-2538 ext. 120

DISTRICT OFFICE SUMMER HOURS 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The RUSD District Office is closed to the public (limited staff onsite). If you need assistance please call (209) 869-2538.

The Board of Education will meet on June 16, 2020.  Please write a letter to the Board of Education demanding the removal of MICHAEL LOPES. 

Here are examples of his racist posts and words from former students who openly call him racist and sexist.

What do you think?
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Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Leticia Chavez-Garcia is a Mother, Grandmother, former Middle School Teacher, former Member of a School Board of Education and an Education Advocate for hundreds of parents and students in the Inland Empire. Having become a mother at 15, Leticia knows what it’s like to be a single mother trying to navigate the education system. Leticia received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from California Baptist University and a Masters’ Degree in Education Technology from Cal State Fullerton in her 30’s. Leticia has used her knowledge and experience to help hundreds of families as an Education Advocate in the Inland Empire and currently works as an Education Specialist.

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