The Philando Castile verdict this weekend has been on my mind and heart. Through our coursework, we have discussed the value of equity and our responsibility to serve our students and our communities. I am often struck, however, how in our professional world we don't necessarily engage in the difficult conversations that force us to examine race and equity in earnest. I also wonder if we are really engaging students and helping them navigate the sociopolitical climate we know they are aware of and for many too well versed in its racism and prejudice. One of our roles as educators, in my opinion, is to provide environments where students feel safe and are empowered. Thus, I remain curious about how and if educators and school leaders are encouraging discussions about the #BlackLivesMatter movement. If we are truly thinking about the social emotional needs of our students, it makes sense to consider the impact such news is having on them and offer support. This is the reality our students are trying to make sense of so what is our role?
Hi Lissette,
ReplyDeleteI agree whole-heatedly with your post. I feel fortunate that the administrative team that I am a part of has such a great relationship with each other and we talk openly about most things. MOST things. As a group, we have not talked about Philando Castile or other related cases. I think I've only talked about it with one other administrator on my team and even then, it was in hushed tones in the building. I don't know whether or not its because our student body population doesn't reflect a strong black demographic or not (because we discuss issues related to our Latino population), but it's something that I've thought about a time or two. I do think it's because we fear the controversy that may or may not be inevitable. We may be worried about disrupting our easy-going working relationships. Which goes back to your point: how do we as leaders address the 'uncomfortable' topics without damaging relationships within the school?
I totally get what you are saying. Even as adults it's difficult to navigate the if, when, and who of our safe space.
DeleteThis is such a meaningful and difficult topic. I do think it is necessary as educators that we allow students opportunities to learn about these tragic cases and guide conversations to prepare all student, specifically minorities, to navigate this inequitable world. I like Teaching Tolerance and am attaching an article that had last month.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-56-summer-2017/feature/why-teaching-black-lives-matter-matters
Thanks for that source. Here is another from Zinn Education Program that could also be useful ( https://zinnedproject.org/2014/11/teaching-about-ferguson/ )
ReplyDeleteMy favorite blog, Cult of Pedagogy, re-tweeted this timely blog entry yesterday: don't know if you've seen it or not, but it's worth a read:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cultofpedagogy.com/students-of-color/
Now this! Recently, my friends and I wore the shirts "Stay Woke" while we were at a conference. Were like "I'm up" or "What does your shirt mean?" One of my friends had to put it very nicely that it is a way for people to be woke by the things that are going on around them that is not in their bubble, in particular, to those in marginalized communities. Many said they understood, but still did not seem to be "awaken"
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