Thank you for your editorial recognizing the racial equity work of Anthony Clark, both on behalf of OPRF High School and the broader community (https://www.oakpark.com/2025/01/28/anthony-clarks-contributions). As an Oak Park teacher, Anthony Clark has lived, taught, and advocated for racial and social justice in the historical tradition of activist African American educators. He courageously embraced that legacy in a school and community where such commitment has too often been suspect and personally risky.
Mr. Clark fully understood that his professional life was always a political act, rooted in the ongoing struggle for human rights and equality for all. In doing so, he exemplified what it meant to be a citizen teacher. He believed, and inspirationally acted, on the principle that his classroom was much larger than a room at OPRF. It also included the village of Oak Park, the West Side, and other suburban communities.
In addition to the work referenced in your editorial, we would like to note that Mr. Clark (and the Suburban Unity Alliance that he headed) was an advocate in several critical racial equity campaigns at OPRF with the Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education, including but not limited to, the push for the adoption of a racial equity policy and accompanying procedures at the high school, and the campaign to hire more teachers of color.
We were fortunate to have a committed and enthusiastic partner and a talented organizer in Anthony Clark.
On behalf of the Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education, our allies, and friends,
Mary Bird, Mark Christiansen, John Duffy, Burcy Hines, Ralph Lee, Paul Sakol, Sarah Schriber, and James Schwartz
CEEE