Sharing as I learn and grow
It’s Sunday morning and I am enjoying my monthly “whoosah weekend.” I rested well (much better than I normally do) and missed the hotel’s complimentary breakfast. This hotel doesn’t offer room service, so I ordered breakfast from a local diner using Door Dash. I am not a frequent Door Dash user but over the last …
“What we need is accurate American History being taught in our schools and in our homes. What we need is the withholding of federal funds to school systems that refuse to teach accurate American History and who weaponize the important work of diversity, equity and inclusion professionals. What we need are protocols and practices that are enforced that keep Black people alive. What we need are stricter gun laws. What we need are leaders who prioritize the safety and well being of Black people over attaining and maintaining a position of power. “
“I implore Black people to stop begging for scraps from social systems that continue to reject us and keep building resources that support and celebrate us. It is futile to expect a system that was intentionally built to oppress us to suddenly change its properties and start propelling us to greatness.”
“Trust should be earned, valued and protected. Just because an educator has a license to deliver content or a degree that allows him or her to be an administrator doesn’t mean that he or she can be trusted to care for my child.”
“We are our student’s first line of defense and there is too much at stake for us to fall for the age-old “waiting game” or to cower because we might be perceived as disruptive. Disruption is not always negative and sadly, some educators will ignore parents’/guardians’ requests until they give up. Never give up.”
“Transactional meetings are not enough. Our students need real relationships with people whom they can trust.”
“It is not enough for Black students to have access to a school building. It is imperative that educators work to understand, embrace and create equitable and inclusive school environments that reflect and represent the experiences of Black students. It is essential to the development and preservation of the souls of Black children that parents, educators and community leaders prioritize helping them thrive in White schools. “
“Advocate in numbers. If your child is experiencing a racially or culturally motivated violations, contact the school leadership to get them addressed as soon as possible and enlist other parents and community members to call about the same issue. When your child is not the direct target, advocate for other students who are experiencing the violation.”
“It is true that America is becoming browner. Sadly, this reality scares many White people because White people are having this conversation with themselves, “Where do I fit in to these changing demographics? Where do I sit if I am not sitting in the seat of power? I love being the majority. I love making the rules even though they abuse other people. Hmmm, what can I do to hold on to the power that I think I’m supposed to have even if I have to lie AGAIN to get it? What weaklings can I convince that I am telling the truth?”
“Educational equity has the potential to give every child access to a quality education regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, or zip code. Students, families, communities, and generations thrive when we intentionally create environments that facilitate and expect the succes.”