Group pushing Arabic-language curriculum in SF schools faces backlash over remarks

[Mosby]

A San Francisco-based Arabic community group could be excluded from helping to create Arabic-language curriculum it championed to the school district earlier this year because of alleged discriminatory comments the organization and its leader made about Jews.

Last May, the Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution for the San Francisco Unified School District to explore implementing Arabic- and Vietnamese-language pathways programs for kindergarten through 12th-grade students, beginning in the 2017-18 school year.

The resolution also called for the district to work with the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, among other community groups, to develop “culturally appropriate professional development opportunities” for teachers at certain schools. Incorporating community input is standard practice for the SFUSD when creating new curriculum.

But language used by AROC to allegedly “push a radical Anti-Israel and Anti-Zionist agenda in San Francisco,” according to a June 17 letter from the Jewish Community Relations Council to school district leaders, has prompted local Jewish community leaders to urge the SFUSD to eliminate the group from the resolution.

-snip-

In the letter from the Jewish council to Superintendent Richard Carranza and Murase, examples of such discriminatory comments include a Tweet by @AROCBayArea on Dec. 15 saying: “Help us kick Zionism out of the Bay Area. Donate today.”

Other comments highlighted in the letter were purportedly made by Lara Kiswani, the group’s executive director, at a Nov. 12 forum on how organized labor can help Palestine: “Bringing down Israel really will benefit everyone in the world, and everyone in society”; “As long as you continue to be on that side, I’m going to continue to hate you.”

http://www.sfexaminer.com/group-pushing-arabic-language-curriculum-in-sf-schools-faces-backlash-over-anti-zionist-remarks/

[azurnoir]

1. Lara Kiswani is a target of antiPalestinian groups, she spearheaded the Stop the Boat action

last year, she has also been targeted by the Canary Nission a secretive group who's stated goal is to render unemployable any activist who is engaging in what they claim to be hate crimes

Canary Mission is concerned by the rise of anti-Semitic hate crimes on college campuses, and the dangerous Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to demonize and destroy Israel via economic, academic and social boycotts. These acts lead to a divide between students on campus, and an atmosphere of fear and distrust.

We believe in the right of employers to know which potentially threatening organizations prospective employees were affiliated with during their time on campus.

Canary Mission provides freely available material gathered from completely accessible and unrestricted sources. We have chosen to collate this information into a concise and unambiguous format for the consumption of prospective employers and the public at large.

http://www.canarymission.org/about/

In response to the recent war between Israel and Gaza, the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions has issued a call urging American labor unions “to condemn the Israeli aggression and to boycott Israel through various means.” In the Bay Area, that condemnation has emerged in the form of “Block the Boat,” a campaign to stop the unloading of an Israeli-owned Zim Integrated Shipping Services vessel in the Port of Oakland.

This weekend, thousands of protesters massed in Oakland to prevent members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 10 from emptying the ship, effectively uniting the community in support of the international Boycott, Divest from, and Sanction Israel campaign, known as BDS. As of Monday evening, the boat had still not managed to successfully deposit its cargo.

On Saturday afternoon, more than 1,000 protesters gathered at the West Oakland Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station before marching about 1.5 miles to the Port of Oakland, where they planned to erect a picket line. Midway through the journey, however, organizers announced that they had received word the ship would not dock for the rest of the day.

“On August 16, 2014,” Sameh Ayesh of the San Francisco-headquartered Arab Youth Association (AYO) cried over a loudspeaker, “we have stopped the ZIM Line from docking in the United States.”

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/17106/oakland_activists_block_the_boat_for_three_days

[Mosby]

2. taking advantage of union workers is pretty low

And her quotes make her sound very hateful.

[azurnoir]

5. what do you mean by "taking advantage"? it seems the union workers were sympathetic to the effort

or do you believe that the union workers are low knowledge about the issues at hand? taking advantage could be IMO sort of patronizing.

I interviewed an Oakland organizer in order to understand how exactly the activists prevent Israeli ships from unloading. He explained that at the bottom of the driveway leading to the main gates of virtually all ports is a strip of sidewalk. Activists hold moving picket lines on this sidewalk area. Police cannot make them move, because the sidewalk is public space, and as long as protesters are constantly moving on public space, they cannot be arrested.

In ports with sympathetic, unionized workers, such as in Oakland, blocking the main gate is all that is necessary. Many ports, such as that in Oakland, have five gates in total, nonetheless, and at ports where workers are less sympathetic, such as in Tampa, protesters must divide themselves into groups in order to prevent workers from entering in any of the side gates.

In Oakland, the organizer told me, they have not yet had any problems with the police. On the last day of the mid-August blockade, he said, police got a little antsy, but the dock workers were on their side. The longshoremen’s irate employer actually deceived them, claiming they would be working at a different time, but this only incensed the workers further, and even inspired them to engage in a slowdown when they finally did start working, increasing the efficacy of the action. In the end, only a small percentage of the ship’s cargo was unloaded, and activists faced no repercussions from the police. (It’s also helpful that elections are going to be held soon, the activist added, and political candidates don’t want to have a potential controversy on their hands.)

- See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2014/10/california-block-movement#sthash.S9SiiUgP.dpuf

[Mosby]

3. care to comment about her remarks?

I take it you agree since you're coming to her defense.

[azurnoir]

4. you mean this one

from your OP

“We see this recent development consistent with the way that JCRC operates on a regular basis where they ignore the impact their actions have on children,” Kiswani wrote in an email to the San Francisco Examiner. “They are literally willing to take educational opportunities away from children in order to feed their need to defend the state of Israel.”

I would tend to agree the organization named seems more interested in smearing Kiswani and there by stopping any Arabic language program by throwing unrelated issues into the discussion

[6chars]

6. i dont think he meant that one.

[azurnoir]

7. well it was the only remark that even related to the school curriculum

all the other remarks noted did not relate to whether or not San Francisco schools have Arabic and Vietnamese language pathways programs. Why should her comments on a totally unrelated subject even be brought up?

[azurnoir]

11. oh so they were

[aranthus]

71. No. You're misrepresenting what they're saying.

No one is talking about stopping Arabic language course. The article is very clear about that. Do you think that people who have hateful attitudes toward Israel and Jews should be allowed a place at the table in deciding what the curriculum should be?

[Little Tich]

8. I fail to see any substance at all in the allegations against AROC.

Anti-Semitism should be taken seriously, but idiots trying toconflate Zionism with "the Jews" should always be ignored.

[Little Tich]

12. Perhaps they should - I fail to see the controversy.

There's nothing that points towards any politics creeping into the curriculum itself. The opinions expressed and the activities supported by AROC are legitimate and well within the spectrum of what's normal. Israel's policies are very controversial and it should be OK to criticize them without repercussions.

This just looks like a smear attempt, and JCRC should either provide a more valid reason for AROC's exclusion or butt out.

[leftynyc]

13. That posters here

are either ignoring her remarks about Israel or saying they don't matter is fucking nauseating. If someone said the same about Palestine, the same people would be running around with their hair on fire. Disgusting.

[azurnoir]

14. so explain how they impact an Arabic language program in public schools, please

[leftynyc]

15. I can't possibly tell

you how unsurprised I am that you will overlook someone's anti-Zionist rhetoric and still think they're up to the job of having an influence on educational standards and programs. If this person had said the exact same thing about getting rid of Palestine, you'd be calling for their head on a platter and would, in no way, think they're qualified to have anything to do with education programs.

[azurnoir]

16. didn't answer my question how do the political views of one of people advocating an Arabic language

program impact whether or not the program is found acceptable? She is not influencing what is taught outside of the language , were it a hebrew language program it really wouldn't matter, what matters is who is teaching the classes not who advocates the program

[leftynyc]

17. You just didn't like my answer

so you're ignoring it. So I'll tell you again that this person shouldn't be having ANY influence on education standards or programs given her discriminatory attitude. And further to that, if she were saying the exact same thing about Palestine, you'd be agreeing with me.

[azurnoir]

18. so you dislike Ms Kiswani but rreally that has no bearing on whether or not an Arabic language

program should be taught in San Francisco public schools but trashing her is a good way to avoid that issue isn't it? oh BtW she's also advocating a Vietnamese language program any problems with that? As to your other claims about what I would say you're wrong and IMO possibly projecting, I would not care who advocated a Hebrew language program, it is who will be teaching said program and it's accompanying curriculum that counts

[azurnoir]

20. oh so it's just sayin

[leftynyc]

24. While using juvenile emoticons

may seem like a legitimate way to discuss things to you, this isn't high school and that really should be beyond adults. So glad you think that as long as they're not teaching the courses themselves, you would be okay with the kkk having input into education programs. Good to know and puts your argument exactly in the right context.

[azurnoir]

26. while being insulting again you also contradict yourself and equate a Palestinian woman to the KKK

leftynyc
24. While using juvenile emoticons
View profile
may seem like a legitimate way to discuss things to you, this isn't high school and that really should be beyond adults. So glad you think that as long as they're not teaching the courses themselves, you would be okay with the kkk having input into education programs. Good to know and puts your argument exactly in the right context.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=109079

you see I was very specific I said they had no input into the curriculum not they would not be teaching the courses themselves

[leftynyc]

31. Let's see

you've gone from defending that she has every right to advocate to now saying she has ZERO input into the programs. Any more backtracking you'd like to do before you fall off the cliff?

[leftynyc]

23. Do you realize

you're arguing against yourself because you don't like that I have a different set of standards for who I want having a say in education programs? Let's just let the kkk or segregationists help put together education programs. I mean, according to you, it doesn't matter unless they're actually teaching the courses, right?

[azurnoir]

27. she is only promoting that the courses be taught not the curriculum nor the content

of said courses

[leftynyc]

29. So you'd be okay

with anyone who has hateful positions - including the kkk - promoting education programs that are to be taught to children as long as they aren't actually teaching the course. Like I said, good to know.

[azurnoir]

34. still comparing Palestinian who speak out against Israeli oppression to the KKK?

is that a new meme for you?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=109079

That IMO is your own strawmman and of course you reach your own strawclusion that's okay I really do not mind

[leftynyc]

37. I'm using YOUR argument

to clarify what you think and you don't seem to like that. Plenty of people would think the klan and those who want to deport all US Muslims have a point and their view of the world should be taught to children. So yes, I'm comparing the two with no reservations whatsoever.

[azurnoir]

38. no you are not, I have not compared anyone involved to the KKK or any other group for that matter

that seems to be your thing and I know you have no reservations

[leftynyc]

42. You're flailing

your argument was that she has a right to be heard because she's not teaching the course (you also tried to claim she would have no influence on the curriculum itself until I proved that was complete bullshit). I showed where that argument leads to and you don't like that. That's not my problem.

[azurnoir]

44. still insulting? well no where does it say Ms Kiswani would have any input in the curriculum

she is used in an attempt to exclude an Arab/Palestinian group from the process period

[leftynyc]

45. She is being shown

for what she is - somebody who should have zero input into any school program and the very first sentence in the article shows your argument to be complete bullshit. She and her organization should be excluded. There are plenty of other organizations that don't have hateful people involved that can handle that.

[azurnoir]

47. for my part I think useing someones politics to punish them in other areas smacks of McCarthyism

and that is plainly what is being done here , do you really think the San Francisco school system would allow political bias in a foreign language program?

[leftynyc]

56. Well I certainly wouldn't want

to hurt the feelings of hateful people. Let's just allow everyone - racists, bigots, segregationists, white power supporters to help decide what gets poured into the brains of children. I mean, we wouldn't want to be accused of mccarthyism, would we?

[leftynyc]

32. You do realize that

you're not exactly being truthful with that statement because the very first sentence in the OP is:

A San Francisco-based Arabic community group could be excluded from helping to create Arabic-language curriculum it championed to the school district earlier this year because of alleged discriminatory comments the organization and its leader made about Jews.

The questions are being asked because they don't want this woman to help create the curriculum - which is hardly the "she's only advocating they be taught" argument you're trying to use. They WANT to help create the program and you'd be fine with that. I'm not. Let the backtracking begin.

[azurnoir]

36. No backtracking necessary it is the statement of a very biased if not bigoted article

if something offensive is included in the curriculum I'm sure we'll hear about it and by the way no where does it say Kiswani herself will be making the curriculum itself she's being used in an attempt to exclude a or possibly any Palestinian group from the process

[leftynyc]

39. And now we're at the

blame the media portion of the program. Not something you were complaining about until your argument was brought to its logical conclusion. The whole point of this is so something offensive does not get into the program. Nobody is arguing against the program, just the people involved in what gets taught in the program.

[azurnoir]

41. The blame game is the basis of the article itself, it seems to advocate excludin an Arab/Palestinian

group from the process based on what one member said

[leftynyc]

43. That's exactly what

the point is. That this woman and her organization should not have any input into what goes into the ears of children. Did you just come to that simple conclusion?

[azurnoir]

48. Nope but thank you for admitting to that

as I said the exclusion of this group based on what one person said is IMO McCarthyism

[leftynyc]

58. No - you called it

mccarthyism - that doesn't make it so. I don't care about hurting the feelings of hateful bigots.

[azurnoir]

61. to compare those protesting the Israeli oppression of the Palestinians to the KKK

speaks volumes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=109079

[leftynyc]

64. And I think the fact

you haven't taken two seconds to condemn this:

“Bringing down Israel really will benefit everyone in the world, and everyone in society”;
“As long as you continue to be on that side, I’m going to continue to hate you.”


speaks louder.

Further - I did not compare the protesting oppression to the KKK - that's complete bullshit. Your position was that even though this executive director is a hateful bigot, she should still be allowed to contribute her views to the program. I asked if you thought the kkk - also hateful bigots - should also be given a voice. It's a logical conclusion given your argument.

[azurnoir]

68. Nope you compared a Palestinian American woman to the KKK

you said it several times and added in that I would be okay with the KKK too, twice, they were statements not questions for some reason I don't seem to need to resort to that sort of thing

leftynyc (15,151 posts)
24. While using juvenile emoticons

may seem like a legitimate way to discuss things to you, this isn't high school and that really should be beyond adults. So glad you think that as long as they're not teaching the courses themselves, you would be okay with the kkk having input into education programs. Good to know and puts your argument exactly in the right context.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=109079

. So you'd be okay

with anyone who has hateful positions - including the kkk - promoting education programs that are to be taught to children as long as they aren't actually teaching the course. Like I said, good to know.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=109084

[leftynyc]

69. Nice try but bullshit

Using your own argument - that this woman - even with her hateful bigotry on display for everyone to see - should still be allowed to contribute to the development of this program - I used the exact same argument - that another group of hateful bigots must also be allowed to contribute because anything else would be mccarthyism. The fact you think a woman who says this:

“Bringing down Israel really will benefit everyone in the world, and everyone in society”;
“As long as you continue to be on that side, I’m going to continue to hate you.”

is NOT a hateful bigot is entirely your problem. Am I calling her a hateful bigot? You bet I am. Am I calling all Palestinians and their supporters hateful bigots? Not even close even if that's what you're trying to claim.

[azurnoir]

50. also here is a list of AROC's partner groups would you exclude all of them?

Arab American Action Network
The Arab American Action Network (AAAN) strives to strengthen the Arab community in the Chicago area by building its capacity to be an active agent for positive social change. As a grassroots nonprofit, our strategies include community organizing, advocacy, education, providing social services, leadership development, cultural outreach and forging productive relationships with other communities.

Arab Cultural and Community Center
The mission of the ACCC is to serve both the Arab-American and the greater Bay Area community through cultural programs, outreach, and social services.

Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival is the largest independent annual showcase of Arab films and filmmakers in the country. The festival has an international standing and is considered one of the most important Arab film festivals outside the Arab world. AFF strives to present the best contemporary films that provide insight into the beauty, complexity and diversity of the Arab world alongside realistic perspectives on Arab people, culture, art, history and politics.

Arab Women Active in Arts and Media (AWAAM)
AWAAM provides comprehensive leadership opportunities in community organizing, art and media skills to young women and girls. Our goal is to empower a generation of young women with the community organizing and media skills necessary to act as leaders within their communities, which have endured increasing hardship in recent years.

AYADI
AYADI is a community based organization that lends a hand to the Tenderloin Muslim community by providing social, health, legal and vocational services. AYADI hopes to break barriers of discrimination and harassment to the underserved Tenderloin Muslim Community.

Asian Law Caucus
Asian Law Caucus provides legal services and advocacy to low and moderate income individuals in the Bay Area supporting legal rights and social justice.

Bay Area Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid
The Bay Area Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid (BACEIA) is a grassroots effort to engage people in boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) work. We are asking people to take our pledge to boycott Israeli goods, support the Palestinian fair trade economy, and stay in touch with us as we work locally to end Israeli apartheid.

Catalyst Project
The Catalyst Project is committed to anti-racist work with mostly white sections of left/radical social movements with the goal of deepening anti-racist commitment in white communities and building multiracial left movements for liberation.

Causa Justa : Just Cause
Causa Justa :: Just Cause (CJJC) is a multi-racial, grassroots organization building community leadership to achieve justice for low-income San Francisco and Oakland residents.

Center for Political Education
CPE exists to build and develop a center dedicated to building strong movements and the left through education, analysis, theory, dialogue, and activism.

Critical Resistance
Critical Resistance seeks to build an international movement to end the Prison Industrial Complex by challenging the belief that caging and controlling people makes us safe. We believe that basic necessities such as food, shelter, and freedom are what really make our communities secure. As such, our work is part of global struggles against inequality and powerlessness. The success of the movement requires that it reflect communities most affected
by the PIC. Because we seek to abolish the PIC, we cannot support any work that extends its life or scope.

Design Action Collective
Design Action provides graphic design and visual communications for progressive, non-profit and social change organizations. By providing these high-quality professional services, we seek to contribute to building a broad and effective progressive movement and participate in the struggle for social justice.

The EastSide Arts Alliance
(ESAA) is an organization of artists, cultural workers, and community organizers of color who live and/or work in the San Antonio district of Oakland. We are committed to working in the San Antonio and other Oakland neighborhoods to support a creative environment that improves the quality of life for our communities and advocates for progressive, systemic social change. Filipino Community Center Freedom Archives The Freedom Archives contains over 8000 hours of audio and video tapes. These recordings date from the late-60s to the mid-90s and chronicle the progressive history of the Bay Area, the United States, and international solidarity movements.

Filipino Community Center
FCC exists to provide a safe space where Filipino families can access services, meet, and hold activities.To improve our collective capacity to address our immediate and long term needs, with a commitment to the low-income and underserved, through organizing, advocacy, and service. To deepen our understanding of our history and culture as Filipinos and heighten our consciousness of our civil and human rights. To build civic participation and grassroots leadership, and to strengthen our commitment and responsibility to each other, our community, and the larger society.

Freedom Archives
The Freedom Archives contains over 8000 hours of audio and video tapes. These recordings date from the late-60s to the mid-90s and chronicle the progressive history of the Bay Area, the United States, and international solidarity movements.

International Jewish Anti Zionist Network
We are a growing international network of Jews whose Jewish identities are not based on Zionism but on a plurality of histories and experiences. We share a commitment to participation in the legacy of struggles against colonization and imperialism Islamic Society of San Francisco Our mission is to cultivate a tolerant practice of Islam and to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam through religious, cultural, and recreational activities.

Malcolm X Grassroots Movement
The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement is an organization of Afrikans in America/New Afrikans whose mission is to defend the human rights of our people and promote self-determination in our community. Middle East Children’s Alliance Founded in 1988, the Middle East Children’s Alliance is a registered nonprofit organization working for the rights and well being of children in the Middle East. MECA sends shipments of aid to Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon, and supports projects that make life better for the children. We educate North Americans about children in the region and the brutal impact of US foreign policy on their lives.

US Palestinian Community Network
The USPCN represents the Palestinian community in the US coming together to empower our community, unify our voice, and affirm the right of Palestinians in the Shatat (exile) to participate fully in shaping our joint destiny.

San Francisco Immigrant Legal Education Network
OUR MISSION: to promote full access to social services, direct legal services, civic engagement, legalization, freedom of movement, and reunification with family and community, for all immigrants and their families regardless of their immigration status.

SNAG: Seventh Native American Generation
SNAG’s mission provides Native youth the opportunity to achieve balance and harmony, address historical and modern grievances, and explore and develop leadership and community skills through arts and cultural expression.

Zawaya
Zawaya is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and presenting Arab American’s cultural heritage through music and art. Zawaya breaks barriers of isolation and discrimination, welcoming all who share a love of Arab arts.

http://araborganizing.org/about-us/partners/

[leftynyc]

59. More moving the goalposts

You must be getting tired from going from argument to argument. I don't know any of those organizations and would have to research them before giving my opinion. The EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the organization in the OP is what this about. We've already determined you have no problem with this comment:

“Bringing down Israel really will benefit everyone in the world, and everyone in society”;
“As long as you continue to be on that side, I’m going to continue to hate you.”


And now you want to imply that I want ALL these organizations kept from being part of the program. That's completely dishonest and frankly just shows you can't stand that I shoved your own argument back in your face.

[azurnoir]

60. Nope I asked a question you apparently do not wish to answer , why?

and really personal insults seem to be your style that speaks oh so much

[leftynyc]

62. You expected me to

to complete research on all those organizations in the just over an hour since you posted them? Sorry, I have a life outside of DU and have no intention of jumping through your hoops. And frankly, I've found over the years that you consider anything that doesn't agree with your opinion as insulting so that doesn't move me in the slightest. I find anyone who can't find two seconds to condemn this:

“Bringing down Israel really will benefit everyone in the world, and everyone in society”;
“As long as you continue to be on that side, I’m going to continue to hate you.”

as showing exactly what I'm dealing with.

[azurnoir]

63. No I expect nothing except exactly what I've been getting from you

[leftynyc]

65. Petulance

How unsurprising.

[azurnoir]

67. Insults, no surprise here either Thanks

but I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do

[azurnoir]

49. she may be the directer but she does not run the entire show in fact she is not even first listed

http://araborganizing.org/about-us/staff-a-collective/

[6chars]

51. lol

she is the first staff member listed.

[azurnoir]

52. Ill ask you would you also exclude AROC's partners?

Arab American Action Network
The Arab American Action Network (AAAN) strives to strengthen the Arab community in the Chicago area by building its capacity to be an active agent for positive social change. As a grassroots nonprofit, our strategies include community organizing, advocacy, education, providing social services, leadership development, cultural outreach and forging productive relationships with other communities.

Arab Cultural and Community Center
The mission of the ACCC is to serve both the Arab-American and the greater Bay Area community through cultural programs, outreach, and social services.

Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival is the largest independent annual showcase of Arab films and filmmakers in the country. The festival has an international standing and is considered one of the most important Arab film festivals outside the Arab world. AFF strives to present the best contemporary films that provide insight into the beauty, complexity and diversity of the Arab world alongside realistic perspectives on Arab people, culture, art, history and politics.

Arab Women Active in Arts and Media (AWAAM)
AWAAM provides comprehensive leadership opportunities in community organizing, art and media skills to young women and girls. Our goal is to empower a generation of young women with the community organizing and media skills necessary to act as leaders within their communities, which have endured increasing hardship in recent years.

AYADI
AYADI is a community based organization that lends a hand to the Tenderloin Muslim community by providing social, health, legal and vocational services. AYADI hopes to break barriers of discrimination and harassment to the underserved Tenderloin Muslim Community.

Asian Law Caucus
Asian Law Caucus provides legal services and advocacy to low and moderate income individuals in the Bay Area supporting legal rights and social justice.

Bay Area Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid
The Bay Area Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid (BACEIA) is a grassroots effort to engage people in boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) work. We are asking people to take our pledge to boycott Israeli goods, support the Palestinian fair trade economy, and stay in touch with us as we work locally to end Israeli apartheid.

Catalyst Project
The Catalyst Project is committed to anti-racist work with mostly white sections of left/radical social movements with the goal of deepening anti-racist commitment in white communities and building multiracial left movements for liberation.

Causa Justa : Just Cause
Causa Justa :: Just Cause (CJJC) is a multi-racial, grassroots organization building community leadership to achieve justice for low-income San Francisco and Oakland residents.

Center for Political Education
CPE exists to build and develop a center dedicated to building strong movements and the left through education, analysis, theory, dialogue, and activism.

Critical Resistance
Critical Resistance seeks to build an international movement to end the Prison Industrial Complex by challenging the belief that caging and controlling people makes us safe. We believe that basic necessities such as food, shelter, and freedom are what really make our communities secure. As such, our work is part of global struggles against inequality and powerlessness. The success of the movement requires that it reflect communities most affected
by the PIC. Because we seek to abolish the PIC, we cannot support any work that extends its life or scope.

Design Action Collective
Design Action provides graphic design and visual communications for progressive, non-profit and social change organizations. By providing these high-quality professional services, we seek to contribute to building a broad and effective progressive movement and participate in the struggle for social justice.

The EastSide Arts Alliance
(ESAA) is an organization of artists, cultural workers, and community organizers of color who live and/or work in the San Antonio district of Oakland. We are committed to working in the San Antonio and other Oakland neighborhoods to support a creative environment that improves the quality of life for our communities and advocates for progressive, systemic social change. Filipino Community Center Freedom Archives The Freedom Archives contains over 8000 hours of audio and video tapes. These recordings date from the late-60s to the mid-90s and chronicle the progressive history of the Bay Area, the United States, and international solidarity movements.

Filipino Community Center
FCC exists to provide a safe space where Filipino families can access services, meet, and hold activities.To improve our collective capacity to address our immediate and long term needs, with a commitment to the low-income and underserved, through organizing, advocacy, and service. To deepen our understanding of our history and culture as Filipinos and heighten our consciousness of our civil and human rights. To build civic participation and grassroots leadership, and to strengthen our commitment and responsibility to each other, our community, and the larger society.

Freedom Archives
The Freedom Archives contains over 8000 hours of audio and video tapes. These recordings date from the late-60s to the mid-90s and chronicle the progressive history of the Bay Area, the United States, and international solidarity movements.

International Jewish Anti Zionist Network
We are a growing international network of Jews whose Jewish identities are not based on Zionism but on a plurality of histories and experiences. We share a commitment to participation in the legacy of struggles against colonization and imperialism Islamic Society of San Francisco Our mission is to cultivate a tolerant practice of Islam and to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam through religious, cultural, and recreational activities.

Malcolm X Grassroots Movement
The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement is an organization of Afrikans in America/New Afrikans whose mission is to defend the human rights of our people and promote self-determination in our community. Middle East Children’s Alliance Founded in 1988, the Middle East Children’s Alliance is a registered nonprofit organization working for the rights and well being of children in the Middle East. MECA sends shipments of aid to Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon, and supports projects that make life better for the children. We educate North Americans about children in the region and the brutal impact of US foreign policy on their lives.

US Palestinian Community Network
The USPCN represents the Palestinian community in the US coming together to empower our community, unify our voice, and affirm the right of Palestinians in the Shatat (exile) to participate fully in shaping our joint destiny.

San Francisco Immigrant Legal Education Network
OUR MISSION: to promote full access to social services, direct legal services, civic engagement, legalization, freedom of movement, and reunification with family and community, for all immigrants and their families regardless of their immigration status.

SNAG: Seventh Native American Generation
SNAG’s mission provides Native youth the opportunity to achieve balance and harmony, address historical and modern grievances, and explore and develop leadership and community skills through arts and cultural expression.

Zawaya
Zawaya is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and presenting Arab American’s cultural heritage through music and art. Zawaya breaks barriers of isolation and discrimination, welcoming all who share a love of Arab arts.

http://araborganizing.org/about-us/partners/

[6chars]

54. interesting list

some are probably fine an even very useful for aiding in development of public education of Arabic. not all.

[azurnoir]

53. here is the list just so we're clear the Board who Kiswani is not a member of is first

STAFF & COLLECTIVE
AROC’s work is led by a team of collective (advisory board), staff, and members.

COLLECTIVE MEMBERS

Board

Ashwak Hauter
Chris Lymbertos
Lily Haskell
Lubna Morrar
Rama Kased
Ramsey El-Qare
Reem Assil
Sami Kitmitto
Staff

Lara Kiswani, Executive Director
Lina Baroudi, Immigration Attorney
Sharif Zakout, Youth Program Coordinator

http://araborganizing.org/about-us/staff-a-collective/

[aranthus]

70. Because haters shouldn't be allowed to teach their hate to kids.

It's not about the Arabic school curriculum and you know it. It's about not letting hateful people teach their hatred to children under the guise of a legitimate language program. And you know that too. That's what the article is about, and you know that too. Why do you feel that you have to misrepresent the article? Why do you have to misrepresent what the critics are saying? Where is there any attack on the Arabic language curriculum itself?

[Little Tich]

22. Nope. While I'm not one of those you refer to, I must disagree.

As long as AROC's political leanings are not given any weight in the actual creation of the curriculum, they should be welcome to participate. I wouldn't mind if a pro-Israel group said the same thing about Palestine and still was allowed to provide meaningful, non-politicized input.

I think it's about the idea of consensus, where people can totally disagree with each other, but still accept (and dislike) a middle ground.

[leftynyc]

25. Really?

So you would have no problem with the segregationists or racists having input into the education programs for children? Because it's the exact same thing. This woman wants Israel to disappear - not work with Palestinian authorities to gain a state - she wants Israel to disappear - that's what she said. She's vile and I wouldn't want her anywhere near children and frankly I'm pretty disgusted that you would. Not surprised. Just disgusted.

[azurnoir]

28. exactly what input does she have? is she designing the courses? is she teaching them?

she's simply advocating they are taught

[leftynyc]

30. What I consider a hateful person

is having an input on what is going to be taught to children. You don't have a problem with that and I do. I think our relative positions are clear enough.

[6chars]

33. it depends what the meaning of culturally appropriate is

The resolution called for the district to work with the Arab Resource and Organizing Center to develop “culturally appropriate professional development opportunities”

[leftynyc]

35. Yes, it absolutely

does matter what some consider "culturally appropriate". Personally, I think a person who thinks Israel should disappear has no business deciding what is culturally appropriate for children. The same way I would have a problem with a klansman having an input into what they consider culturally appropriate to teach to children. The same way I would have a problem with someone who thinks all US Muslims should be deported having an input into what they consider culturally appropriate to teach to children. Are you getting the message?

[leftynyc]

66. Neither do I

Geller is also a hateful bigot.

[Little Tich]

55. I think you're exaggerating a little bit.

I think perhaps a more adequate comparison would be to have AIPAC provide input on an educational package about Israel. AIPAC is not less extreme in their views towards Palestine, than AROC towards Israel. I would trust both groups to be able to provide non-politicized input if that was what was required.

BTW, I missed that part where Kiswani wanted Israel to disappear. Perhaps you interpret her comments differently than I do.

[leftynyc]

57. I don't think I'm

exaggerating at all. I'm bringing that argument to its logical conclusion. Perhaps you just agree with this person and agree with what's she's said. That would also not be my problem.