The School District of Philadelphia uses the term "Berber" to label the language of Amzighen people.  The term “Berber” is offensive.  It was a label given by the oppressors (list colonizers) of the Amzighen people.  

The word “Berber” (derived from Greek word for barbarian) refers to the Berberian people, the people of mixed Arab and Amazigh origin. Amazigh means “free people'' in the Indigenous Tamazight language, it's an important cultural distinction.

The correct label for the indigenous language of the Amzighen should be Tamazight. My father, who is 100% Amazigh, and many in the Philadelphia Amazigh culture find this term offensive. We don't like being called “Berbers”. 

Language screeners are a first step in enrollment in the School District. This change will stop Amzighen students who attend Philadelphia public schools from encountering an offensive term during their first days in the district.  Changing this offensive label will also send a message to the Philadelphia Language  Community that the School District of Philadelphia stands with indigenous peoples and supports the local Amzighen community.  The word Berber "(derived from Greek word for barbarian)" refers to the Berberian people, the people of mixed Arab and Amazigh origin. The Amazigh people means “free people'' in the Indigenous Tamazight language, it's a culture.  I ask that you sign this petition asking the School District of Philadelphia to change the label for the language from “Berber” to Tamazight.