The intersectionality of students can eventually become a force for change for the individuals and the collective, once it is recognized and once actions to counterbalance injustice are created.
Will we duck away from the changes coming, or move forward, powered by those changes, toward something greater than ourselves?
Many outside PD opportunities still separate the "haves" from the "have-nots" and uphold systemic oppression.
If we want to work towards true inclusivity, we must show that perpetuating oppressive beliefs, intentional or not, has a consequence on something or someone other than those oppressed.
This ability to all see each other, to all stand together as partners, is what makes a school. After all, what is a school but the people who work and learn there?
So, how do we manage? What do we do when consistently engaging in the difficult discussion about rape culture is hard on our hearts, but helpful for our students?
Serena Williams's reaction and its consequences is an unfortunate reflection of our school systems. Real life is hard. It's maddening. It's even harder and maddening when you're a young person of color growing up in a system built to watch you fail.
I don't think it gets "easier," but as I gain more skills and grow more with my students, I think the capacity for joy grows exponentially the longer I am around my kids.
As infuriating as the current U.S. news is, there's not much I can do as a teacher right now. The one thing I can do is prepare to hit the ground running next year.
Unlearning the hurtful lessons we have internalized about racism will take more than just a half-day training.
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