San Francisco school board members, in a censure vote, dismissed their colleague Alison Collins from her role as vice president because of racist tweets against Asian Americans.
The board also removed Collins from a role on any committee. Advisers Jenny Lam and Faauuga Moliga, authors of the measure for the action, called for Collins to resign, saying she did not take responsibility for her words.
The vote came less than a week after Collins’ critics discovered a tweet discussion of 2016, in which she used racial slander and said that Asian Americans used “the thought of white supremacy to assimilate and ‘progress'”. Nearly 5,000 people have already signed a petition calling for Collins to resign, joining public officials, including the mayor and 10 supervisors.
Supporters say Collins was unfairly targeted by right-wing activists and should be forgiven.
Over the weekend, Collins said the tweets, posted two years before she was elected, were taken out of context. She apologized for the pain she caused, but did not remove the tweets.
A tweet topic from SFUSD vice chairman Alison Collins from December 4, 2016
Twitter screenshotThe board approved the distrust measure with a 5-2 vote, with Collins and the chairman of the board, Gabriela López, differing.
“This continues to harm and divide our communities,” said Lam during the meeting. “We need to move forward to govern this district.”
Moliga said Collins’ tweets were “not only harmful, but racist”.
“After Commissioner Collins’ gracious resignation, we would be left with the task of repairing and restoring the dignity and respect that we all deserve,” said Moliga. “History may forget its names, but it will never forget its actions.”
Collins declined to address the tweets or the content of the resolution. She said that council members bypassed the standard process and López to put the measure on the agenda of the special meeting.
Still, board rules allow four board members to place an item on the agenda without the president’s approval, which was the case in this case.
“This resolution deflects priority issues,” said Collins, referring to the reopening of schools and the replacement of Superintendent Vince Matthews. “This resolution in no way improves our team. I reject attempts to de-characterize myself as a person and as a member of this council. “
López opposed efforts to remove Collins from the council.
Dozens of people, many moved, spoke during public comments, some supporting Collins, but most supported the resolution and asked for his resignation.
“I have no confidence in Commissioner Collins’ leadership and the ability to represent our students and families,” said mother Lisa Tsang. “I do not believe that her apology is sincere and she should resign.”
Board members Matt Alexander, Kevine Boggess, Mark Sanchez and López condemned the tweets, but did not call for Collins to resign. Instead, they said they supported a “restorative process”.
The San Francisco Berniecrats are also opposed to those calling for Collins to step down, said Brandee Marckmann, co-chairman of the group.
Collins supporters said the rediscovery, a week ago, of the tweets of people who supported the recall of Collins’ board members, López and Moliga was politically motivated.
“This attack on Collins is deeply political and you can hear it in the comments of many people here tonight,” said Brandon Harami. “I think Collins should apologize more strongly, but after months of being attacked by right-wing groups and trolls, I don’t blame her for being on the defensive.”
Virginia Marshall of the Alliance of Black School Educators punished the council on Thursday.
“This is not how we resolve conflicts,” she said. “Students are watching.”
In your tweets, December 2016, Collins said the message series was part of an effort to “combat anti-black racism in the Asian community” and “at my daughters’ Am, predominantly Asian school”.
She then asked, “Where are the vocal Asians speaking against Trump? Don’t Asian Americans know they’re on your list, either? ”Collins had tweeted. Using asterisks in references to the racial epithet, Collins continued: “Do they think they will not be deported? profiled? beaten? Being a n **** r home is still being a **** r. You are still considered ‘the help’. “
Team writer Emma Talley contributed to this story.
Jill Tucker is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @jilltucker