Women must value interpersonal relationships
Perhaps the most devastating oppressive strategy used against people subject to maltreatment is uprooting camaraderie within them. As women, straightforward connections with each other have been complicated by the patriarchy, weaving a toxicity into the formulaic thought patterns of which we extend human compassion.
Lack of substitute teachers burdens BUSD educators
In recent years, Berkeley High School has grappled with a severe substitute shortage, which began during the pandemic. BHS students are no strangers to being greeted by vacant classrooms with no substitute available. Becoming a substitute requires a four-year college degree, a California Basic Educational Skills Test pass certificate, and the patience to handle students’
Passive acceptance of bad teachers is unacceptable
Every student has had a bad teacher. If they don’t, they probably know at least five less lucky students. In any case, it’s unlikely that a student has managed to dodge a “bad teacher” throughout their academic career — that teacher who seems to be learning the material with everyone else, has a complete lack
Fear tactics have no place in education
Students spend a minimum of 720 hours in school every year. Every change and event in a child’s life during the school year reverberates around classroom walls and is felt by those surrounding them.
Oppression Olympics Further Racial Disparity
The artificial construction of race is a spectrum, parallel to the scale of oppression, where, in both the United States and Berkeley High School, Asian Americans have historically fallen into a marginalized gray area between privilege and maltreatment.
Coping With Grief and Trauma After BHS’s Loss
After a Berkeley High School student’s death on April 18, some students and staff are processing grief and learning how to best take care of themselves and support each other. BHS intervention counselor Jasdeep Malhi believes it’s vital that students communicate how they’re feeling to their teachers in order to receive the support they
It’s About Time to Reconsider Porn
In the last 15 years, pornography has become more accessible than a bag of potato chips. In this same time frame, the rate of teen sex has dropped significantly.
Black History Month Activism Is Too Performative
At the beginning of February, for the fifth year in a row, Target released their “Black Beyond Measure” clothing line for Black History Month. The line consists of clothing pieces preaching sayings like “Radiate Black Joy” and “Noire Icon.” While the sentiment is most definitely there, these T-shirts and sweatshirts blasted on the front of
Admin Must Prioritize Student Input
In Berkeley Unified School District, self-advocacy is continuously emphasized. Whether it is through anti-bullying curricula or history lessons about oppression and social movements, students learn the importance of standing against injustice, being critical of those in power, as well as the power of collaboration and compromise.
CalSTRS Must Divest from Fossil Fuel Companies
By investing in fossil fuels, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System is complicit in environmental racism and climate chaos. CalSTRS is the public pension fund for California public school teachers.