The Equity Corner column in EdCal has been a critical resource for leaders committed to equity work. I vividly recall when Adonai Mack, the former ACSA senior director of Equity, invited members of the Equity Committee to contribute articles. I was energized by the opportunity and volunteered immediately. When my first article was published, my husband even called the ACSA office for extra copies! Since then, I have authored several articles in my role as the senior director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

This brings me to reflect on the title of this dedicated space: Equity Corner. Why is it labeled as such? What message does it convey to our members when equity is relegated to a corner? While a corner may be a suitable spot for an office or a house, placing equity there is far from ideal. It conjures the image of being put in a corner — a disciplinary measure often imposed on students. Discipline data clearly indicates that suspension and expulsion rates are disproportionately higher for African-American and Pacific Islander boys. Being pushed into a corner invokes a fight response, particularly as a matter of survival. This response is not inherently negative, but we must remember: The very existence of equity work is rooted in the struggles of marginalized communities fighting for survival and opportunities.

In light of the federal government’s anti-DEI efforts, our Executive Director, Dr. Edgar Zazueta asserted, “Equity work is not a moment; it is a movement, and we are proud to walk alongside our members in advancing it.”

Let’s reject the notion of being trapped in a corner and boldly move beyond equity. If equity is the work and equality is the ultimate goal, we must strive to transcend mere equity and actively pursue true equality.