Black lives will only start to matter if we dismantle systems that either advance or encumber a certain group of individuals. No amount of education can erase racism for this grows from self-interest. Our children know this since they are not born with this attitude but with our misguided desire to be at an advantage, children grow within a system that either favors or burdens them. We do not need to educate. What we need is to change the educational system so that it serves all students. Equity is the only answer. We heard our children more than a week ago here at Mason district. The community is united in this endeavor but protest rallies need to end with action and we must change our institutions. The following is a repost from Blue View. In this, Abby Block states, "Perhaps that tells us something about the depth and breadth of the effort that has just begun and shows no sign of abating." I sure hope so.

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Mason District holds a protest with a community feeling

June 17, 2020

By Abby Block:

Protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police have spread across the nation, not just in big cities but also in small communities — like our own Mason District here in Fairfax County — that don’t typically respond in organized fashion to events far outside their boundaries.

Hundred joined in on Mon., June 8, for the Black Lives Matter Annandale Family March from the Barcroft Plaza Shopping Center to the Mason District Government Center.  The orderly and respectful crowd chanted, heard speeches, knelt in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — the time a Minneapolis policeman’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck – and ended the 2-hour program with a song of unity.

Participants wore masks in recognition that we are still in the midst of a pandemic.

Mason District came together as a community to hold its own Black Lives Matter march

The march was conceived and organized by parents at Mason Crest Elementary School.  The original idea came from Mary DeDios  who enlisted Simon Sandoval Moshenberg and Ricardy Anderson, Mason’s representative on the Fairfax County School Board.

Keynote speaker Jocelyn McCullough helped set the tone for Mason District’s grass roots protest 

Other parents joined the effort quickly.  The objective was to commemorate George Floyd’s death in a shared endeavor that involved kids, provided a meaningful learning experience, and promoted unity.

The presence of an open megaphone encouraged speeches from parents, community leaders, and students.

The keynote speaker, Jocelyn McCullough, is a student leader of the Equity Team at Justice High School. In a moving and memorable speech she talked about her own family history and about why black lives matter.

She cited numerous examples of entrenched racism and its cumulative negative impact and spelled out the many things that need to change.

Mary’s husband, Angel DeDios, also spoke about the crisis in education resulting from systemic racism, and many students, ranging in age from elementary to high school, added their voices for positive change.

On a personal note, I was pleased to learn that the community I left to come here 40 years ago, Merrick, Long Island, also hosted a march in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.  Perhaps that tells us something about the depth and breadth of the effort that has just begun and shows no sign of abating.

Main photo: Amelia DeDios takes the mic at the Annandale Family March, with Alma Valencia at her side/ Photos by Bill Millhouser

Abby Block served in the federal government as a health benefits program manager and as an executive advisor to a consulting firm. She is a member of Mason District Democratic Committee

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