Opinion: Let’s Not Take the Bait. It’s Time for Solidarity

by Ali Wicks-Lim, Lamikco Magee, and Martha Toro for the Ad Hoc LGBTQIA+, Black ,and Latinx Caucuses of Amherst.

Last year, when the harm LGBTQIA+ kids were experiencing in the Amherst Regional Public Schools was exposed, many people organized to protect them and shine a light on the crisis. Part of our success in raising awareness about the issue came from an impressive turnout. And yet that success also exposed that the same turnout has not been there when glaring issues of racism have surfaced in the schools or the broader community. There is tension in that disparity. People were hurt by it. We need to acknowledge that. 

At the same time, part of the strength of the organizing to protect LGBTQIA+ kids was its intersectionality. The caucuses (LGBTQIA+, LatinX, Black) were formed to allow leadership from impacted people and mutual aid from allies. Together we rejected the narrative that LGBTQ+ identities are white identities and we refused to further marginalize Black and Brown people who are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Several weeks ago at a school committee meeting another incident was brought forward. A trans student was harmed. A Black staff member was named. Rather than acknowledging the systemic failures of the district as the root cause, those most responsible in the school administration sat back and allowed those most harmed to sow division amongst themselves. 

The tension that divides LGBTQIA+ people from Black people from Brown people is about scarcity. In Amherst there is not enough support when vulnerable people are harmed. While there are many who will express concerns among friends, on the sidelines at athletic events, or on social media, far fewer are willing to consistently show up to advocate in the ways that could create the change we need. 

In Amherst, school resources are allocated in ways that don’t reflect the values we claim to hold. (see e.g. here, here, here, and  here). In a district where bullying, racism and homophobia are systemic, those most positioned to witness and report it are disempowered by a toxic workplace (see also here, here, and here), which nearly a year after an overwhelming vote of no confidence in their leadership has seen scant evidence of addressing the problems. In the absence of transparency or accountability from the district, people struggle to get answers from high-paid administrators who will not return their calls or emails. At School Committee meetings, a superintendent answers to no one while the community plays some kind of loyalty tug-of-war, trying to decide whether anyone loses ground if we acknowledge the pain of another person. Scarcity. 

These issues are not unique to the schools. (see e.g here and here and here). Of course marginalized people feel unsafe here and of course this lack of safety leads to conflict within and between people who are stronger together. If we are going to acknowledge the incidents when already vulnerable people have harmed one another then let’s also acknowledge who benefits from a system where that happens. 

What if we were to refuse to participate in this narrative? We don’t have to choose whether the Amherst schools have a racism problem or a homophobia/ transphobia problem – they have both. Neither issue is new and neither is going anywhere unless and until we stop acting shocked when the problem finally rises to a level where it can’t be hidden. In a healthier system, we could sit together and communicate freely. This would allow people of different marginalized identities to express how and when they may experience harm, even if harm is not intended. In the absence of that, we can choose to believe people when they say they have been harmed and to actively build a system where the harm isn’t both fed and ignored by those holding the most power. 

The Black, Latinx, and LGBTQIA+ Caucuses are not taking the bait and we are calling upon vulnerable members of the Amherst community and their allies  to join us in interrupting the patterns that are holding us all back.  We reject the false polarization of needs in which we allow ourselves to believe we must choose and therefore divide our loyalties. There is great need across many vulnerable communities in Amherst and we will benefit from consolidating our power, time, and energy on challenging the systems and individuals responsible for the harm to our people. When we are in conflict with one another, those who hold power and refuse to offer protection remain unaccountable. When we unify and listen to one another, make repairs where needed and stay singularly focused on the fact that we are stronger together, we win.

Ali Wicks-Lim for The ad hoc LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst 
Lamikco Magee for The ad hoc Black Caucus of Amherst
Martha Toro for The ad hoc Latinx Caucus of Amherst