Thread by @rajvr42

I am at the end of my rope. A thread. Please retweet if you agree. Tagging @AustinLASchools @NickMelvoin @GavinNewsom @MayorOfLA @WeAreCTA @UTLAnow (1/13)

The constant UTLA rhetoric about being focused on keeping black and brown and poor students safe (never mind that I’m brown and LGBT, but whatever), implies that middle class and white students are less worthy of having their needs met. (2/13)

Because those kids have privilege it’s ok to discount the concerns of their families? All communities deserve a chance for in person instruction immediately, since health guidelines don’t delineate by neighborhood. (3/13)

Furthermore, the communities the hardest hit by COVID are also being disproportionately hurt by distance learning, and those families may not have the resources to supplement online learning. (4/13)

Why is the UTLA trying to divide us by race and class? Isn’t their slogan #WeRiseTogether? (5/13)

A cynic (hi!) might presume that the UTLA rhetoric about “white” families (mine?) is intended to drive those with the means out the district. This is already happening, and I guess they are trying to accelerate it, so loudmouths like me don’t bother them anymore. (6/13)

The union won’t engage with their critics or frankly, their community. They block anyone on social media who criticizes them, and don’t allow public comment on their public facing posts. (7/13)

UTLA sent a bullying email to membership demanding they refuse to return to work unless certain conditions are met. Their conditions are far above and beyond what the CDC and leading epidemiologists recommend and move of the goalposts beyond the union’s earlier demands. (8/13)

The email also says that the drive to open schools is solely due to pressure from politicians and big business. No, it’s from parents who are exhausted and frustrated and who believe in public education. We're seeing private and parochial schools open in Los Angeles, (9/13)

public schools in Los Angeles County open that are outside LAUSD, and public schools open in other major metropolitan areas. (10/13)

I believe in public schools. I am a product of public schools. I believe that unions have generally been a force for good in this country. Most of my clients and many of my friends belong to at least one union. (11/13)

The overwhelming majority of LAUSD families (eg. mine) supported the 2019 UTLA strike because we believed in what they were fighting for. I’ve spoken to families across the political spectrum, and the union will not get that same support if they refuse to work this time. (12/13)

We’re tired. We’re frustrated. Families will cross picket lines, and the UTLA should ask themselves - what happens when we don’t need you? (13/13)