Let's Explore Our Individual and Collective Responsibility as Educators
Now, more than ever, there is a dire need for all of us––especially educators—to use our influence to ignite the change that our country so desperately needs. As educators, this is our individual and collective responsibility. It is time to own the fact that we are not only charged to teach our scholars math, reading, science, social studies, and the arts. We are also responsible for fostering strong character development that empowers them to be advocates who are reflective and mindful, inclusive and culturally responsive, and courageous and relentless in standing up for what we know to be right and just.
People are not born racist or prejudiced, but we are born into a world that is clearly shaped by racism and prejudice. We begin to inherit those specific beliefs as children from those whom we spend the majority of our time with—our caretakers and teachers. Therefore, educators play a critical role in either perpetuating anti-Black racism and its impact on the larger institution of systemic oppression, or dismantling it.
Think about it. The officers who are responsible for the unjustifiable deaths of African-Americans were once upon a time students. The officers and bystanders who failed to stand up for those victims were also once students. Imagine the outcome if they all had teachers who went beyond teaching the curriculum and taught them how to appropriately treat others who did not look like them, how to embrace differences instead of fear them, and how to stand up for others who are oppressed and silenced with knees on their necks [metaphorically and literally].
So, what can educators actually do to actively work against racism in order to create a just nation? Obviously this is easier said than done, but we have some ideas.
Realize that no one can effectively help without being informed. Increase your awareness around what is happening today, as well as why it is happening. Do some root-cause analysis, or as my fellow English Language Arts teachers would say, “examine the cause and effect relationship” between history and the status quo. It takes just one Google search to unlock a plethora of information spanning across more than two centuries.
Self-reflect on your own biases and predispositions toward people of color. Think about how they shape your daily practices and interactions with students. Challenge yourself to unpack how you’ve inherently shaped students' perspectives of each other and society by the words you’ve said, the way you’ve disciplined them, and how you responded to their challenges.
Switch up your instructional planning practices. Embed diverse texts into your daily lessons that reveal the rich and tumultuous history of African-Americans and our remarkable impact on the culture.
Create opportunities and safe spaces for discussion among your students. Encourage them to explore their own identities and others’ in ways that foster understanding, acceptance, love, and support.
The African-American community doesn’t need secret allies. Take to your social media and share those same sentiments that you’ve shared privately, with the world. It doesn’t have to be an exasperated rallying cry; it can simply be sharing an article, a post, or even a meme (anyone can learn through laughter or humor).
Engage in those difficult conversations with friends, family members, and coworkers––especially fellow educators––who are uninformed or naive. Challenge them and do some mindset landscaping with them. Share your own reflections and the outcomes of it.
While this is not an exhaustive list of ideas, it is indeed a start. It just takes a start. It will feel uncomfortable and discouraging at times. But two things are for sure: It is okay to feel this way, and we have to keep going. The futures [and lives] of our students depend on it.