The Orange County Black Solidarity Network (OCBSN)—a coalition of local organizations committed to confronting anti-Black hate and advancing racial equity—strongly condemns the use of a racial slur during a recent Capistrano Unified School District board meeting by Trustee Judy Bullockus.
Though Bullockus has since issued an apology, it falls far short of what this moment calls for. Her words were not just an unfortunate choice—they reflect a deeper, long-standing pattern of racial insensitivity and systemic exclusion that continues to harm Black students, families, and educators in Orange County. An apology, absent of true accountability and a willingness to engage in repair, is not leadership. It is damage control.
Let’s be clear: when a school board trustee casually repeats a slur that has been used for centuries to dehumanize Black people—even under the guise of quoting someone else—it reinforces and normalizes the very systems of racism we’ve fought so hard to dismantle. The power dynamics at play matter. Bullockus holds a position of authority, influence, and trust. Her words carry weight, particularly in spaces meant to uplift and protect all students.
This isn’t just about one individual’s actions. It’s about a culture within our public institutions that tolerates casual racism, sidelines accountability, and treats the experiences of Black people as peripheral. This is not new—but it is urgent.
Words, especially those wielded by leaders, have the power to shape culture. They can foster belonging or deepen exclusion. When racial slurs are uttered in public meetings—on record, in front of students, parents, and community members—it sends a chilling message about who belongs and who doesn’t.
We believe in the possibility of change, but only when it is accompanied by action. The OCBSN calls on Bullockus to not only acknowledge the impact of her words but also commit to tangible steps toward racial equity, which includes engaging in meaningful dialogue with Black leaders and the broader community to understand the impact of racial slurs.
The OCBSN is a coalition of Black-led organizations working together to confront hate, uplift the community, and drive real change. We’re not outsiders. We’re of this community—activists, educators, faith leaders, artists, business owners, and neighbors—linked by purpose and powered by unity.
We know that real progress is possible when those in power are willing to listen and act.
Unfortunately, too often in Orange County, these moments of harm are met with defensiveness rather than responsibility. We have seen elected officials attempt to downplay incidents like this one, insisting that their “intent” absolves them of responsibility. But intent does not negate impact. And in communities already burdened by generations of exclusion and inequity, words like these reopen old wounds.
This moment also requires the community’s engagement. It is not enough to be quietly disturbed by racism—we must be publicly committed to rooting it out. We urge educators, parents, community members, and fellow leaders to join us in demanding more from those who represent us. That includes speaking out at school board meetings, organizing around equitable policies, and ensuring that public officials reflect the values of the diverse communities they serve.
We also call on Capistrano Unified School District as an institution to reflect on how it will move forward. What safeguards are in place to ensure that all trustees understand the weight of their words? What systems are built to ensure that Black students and families feel safe, heard, and seen? What commitments will the district make—not just in this news cycle—but in the long-term work of equity?
The OCBSN remains committed to the path of justice. We believe in a future where students of all backgrounds can thrive in classrooms that celebrate their full humanity. But that future will not arrive through platitudes. It requires courage. It requires accountability. And it requires all of us—especially those in power—to do the hard work of change.
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed a hate crime or bias incident, please report it at hatecrime.211oc.org or by calling 2-1-1 and dialing 6. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And together, we will continue to speak truth to power until justice is not the exception—but the norm.
Gregory C. Scott is President and CEO of Community Action Partnership Orange County (CAP OC), a Garden Grove-based nonprofit working to stabilize, sustain and empower individuals and families out of poverty. CAP OC is a member of the Orange County Black Solidarity Network (OCBSN), a coalition of local organizations dedicated to addressing hate against the Black community in Orange County.
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