De Anza College African American Studies Department issues statement in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement

A formal statement on behalf of the African American Studies Department at De Anza Community College about the Black Lives Matter Movements was posted on the De Anza Black leadership collective Facebook page this afternoon.

The statement was signed by Julie Kiefer-Lewis, department chair of African American Studies and Co-Creator of the Black Leadership Collective as well as Jess D. Hamilton a part-time faculty member as well and Co-Creator of the Black Leadership Collective.

The statement begins by stating “To the Black students of De Anza College, your Black life matters. FULL STOP.”

De Anza Community College consists of less than 4% black students for the spring 2020 quarter, according to the De Anza College Census Enrollment Comparisons Report. There are currently no diversity clubs on campus for black students according to De Anza College website.

Over the last two weeks, many protests throughout the country and the world in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer.

The statement asks that students, faculty and staff go beyond claiming solidarity to self-reflect as well as create plans for addressing systemic racism at the college.

The statement also calls on the Academic Senate to create a student-led coalition to address racist policies and procedures within the college.