“CTU plans to close schools on May 1st and intends to take our children to a march in downtown Chicago on that day. Dear Dr. King, I would like to know your position on this?” -CPS Parent, Gage Park
This question is one of many that came through the network of parents we work on behalf of at Kids First Chicago (K1C). We help parents have the same power and voice in education decisions that impact their children as we see in wealthy communities. CPS parents deserve that same respect.
This decision matters enormously for CPS parents (and youth) because the consequences of a late school cancellation could impact employment, meals, safety, and more for families who are already vulnerable. That is the nature of interdependent systems that can help or harm families - you can’t abruptly pivot without reverberations. Without the appropriate preparation, the cost will be real. More than just cancelled events, proms, AP exams, etc.
What we have witnessed thus far is a tired old playbook of powerbrokers behind closed doors making decisions for families who will face much greater consequences than those in “the room where it happens.” A May 1, Day of Action may make all the sense in the world for families, given the state of the world right now. But how do we know? We haven’t asked the families who will be directly and most significantly impacted.
There has been no meaningful, authentic engagement that helps parents and youth deeply understand the value and tradeoffs of a May 1 Day of Action — and then asks them what they want. And to do that respectfully, those questions need to be asked at the scale required to actually know what the majority of CPS parents and youth want.
Not asking parents and youth what they want on a decision of this stature is a form of oppression. Giving them partial information to get the answer we want is also a form of oppression. There is an opportunity here to center Chicago families, help them see the benefits of a collective day of action, and then trust their decision - whatever it might be. But we have to do the work. Otherwise, we simply cause harm to the communities we aim to support.
K1C exists to give parents a seat at the table — not to speak for parents. Thus far, there has been no seat at the table for parents in this, and that is a massive problem. It is not solely up to Dr. King to answer the parent’s question above. It is up to the Mayor, the CTU, CPS, and the rest of us. But that collective answer should be rooted in what makes sense to the moms, dads, and youth of Chicago.
Without any meaningful engagement of the people who will be most directly and significantly impacted, this just looks like all our past decision-making at its worst. It is not inclusive or humane. It is about power. Not the people.
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