As a parent of special needs children in Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD), home owner, tax payer, social worker, and advocate for a better public education system, my interest in local school board elections has reached all new heights in the presence of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) involvement in FBISD school district due to disproportionate and unfair disciplinary practices aimed at African American students and the Department of Justice (DOJ) complaint filed by Senator Rodney Ellis against Texas Truancy laws that are disproportionately impacting African Americans and Hispanics of low socioeconomic status. It seems that I am not the only one watching this race closely to see which candidate running for Position 2 and Position 6 will emerge as the “people’s choice”. What has become disturbing to me as an African American who personally value ethnically/racially diversifying the FBISD school board because I understand that ethnic/racial identity in leadership brings about an avenue for increased involvement of parents and stakeholders most affected by the OCR and DOJ issues is that an article titled, “Jackson Rallies for Area Representation and Input at FBISD” published February 25, 2015 in Houston Style Magazine (http://m.stylemagazine.com/news/2015/feb/25/jackson-rallies-area-representation-and-input-fbis/) led me to believe through the picture, words, and phrases that Stuart Jackson would indeed bring what I would consider to be much needed ethnic/racial diversity to the FBISD school board. I was “bamboozled”. Stuart Jackson does not identify with the racial/ethnic minority of Fort Bend County. The misrepresentation gave rise to my feelings of offense and racial/ethnic exploitation as an African American. I suggest each person read the article for yourself to gain your perspective. It just made me realize the measures a person would take to win a nonpartisan school board race. It reminds me of the article in The Huffington Post posted on November 10, 2013 titled, “White, Anti-Gay Republican Wins Local Election after Pretending to Be Black” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/10/dave-wilson-houston_n_4251625.html). Dave Wilson was accused of deceiving the black community to successfully win his seat on the Houston Community College board. Are we living in a time that candidates would sacrifice integrity, character and even ethnic/racial identity to win the minority vote? Aren’t exhibiting compassion, genuine concern, and care for others different from yourself enough to appeal to voters? Even though racial/ethnic identity is important to me in this year’s race when FBISD is under review for policies and practices of inequity toward African Americans, character and competence will be the prevailing trait in the candidate I ultimately choose! I find it gratifying that the minority vote matters much in the Position 6 race, but it is unethical to misrepresent ethnic/racial identity and deceive a group of people for the big win. The name, Stuart Jackson, is perceived as cross cultural and will undoubtedly be his strength in this race to get the minority vote; however, exploitation of the name and the overwhelming issues communities of color are facing right now in the district is nothing less than criminal in my opinion. Since tossing my hat in the 2013 school FBISD board race after being compelled by the massacre of elementary students in Sandy Hook and my personal concerns of violations of Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in matters concerning my son in FBISD, I know the importance of having great leadership on FBISD school board. Early voting begins April 27^th and ends May 5^th and Election Day is May 9^th. I urge the community to vote for a candidate that exemplifies integrity, character, and competence. Our kids depend on it!

Vanesia Johnson

Citizens Advocating for Social Equity (C.A.S.E.)