The dream of a new world begins in the hearts and minds of our people who know what we want and what we deserve in this world. No dream is too big and no action too small when working towards liberation. 

At the beginning of BOP’s Bettering Our School System (BOSS) Campaign, the idea of getting police out of Oakland schools seemed intangible. A dream we knew was possible yet, in ways felt like the challenge of a lifetime.  Although a huge fight , we believed we could win because we knew that grassroots organizing works. We remain grounded in the fact that as long as we have people, we have power. Years ago the vision, the faith, and the determination of our people was what planted the seed for a fight for abolition of  a school police department that seemed to some, irremovable. The strength in the strategy came through the fact that it was developed collectively as a community.

The dream of police-free schools was important ( and remains vital)  for many reasons. It was important to protect our most vulnerable as well as set a precedent for what could be possible in schools AND communities. It was important for us to demonstrate that regular people– those most impacted by oppressive systems– had the resources, intelligence, and will power to not only challenge , but change and dismantle entire systems built to oppress Black folks in particular. It was important that Black families, and our youth and particular– had places in their community, that they felt safe, held, and seen. 

Our ancestors and freedom fighters of the past and present demonstrate in their fights that no matter what the conditions look like , we have the power to create a different world . Dream on. 

What are the freedom dreams you have, big or small ? What would you like to see changed if you knew the community was with you ?