There is a conversation happening among teachers in some places.
The topic is controversial, but only if you think the conversation is intended to censor you. To silence you. To tender you culpable. To question your professional decisions and choices, rather than to elevate and uplift non-white voices.
If you can get beyond your own white fragility or even internalized racism for a moment, then you will see something different. You will realize that like Maya Angelou so wisely said, and I am paraphrasing, ‘When you know better, you do better’.
You do what you can until you get new information that challenges what you previously believed to be true.
Sometimes the dissonance is deafening.
The denial is real.
Some are eager to wave the multicultural banner as long as it’s safe. As long as it doesn’t require too much effort. As long as they don’t have to delve too deeply into their own biases and prejudices. And, we all have them, so there’s no need to pretend.
When some folks are challenged to go deep and examine their own beliefs and practices, they claim censorship and pull out the ‘I’m not a racist’ card”. And that gets old and shallow and keeps the system intact.
Controversy is healthy.
Conversation is important.
But dismantling oppression can’t wait.
Be safe, but be brave.
Cross posted to The Two Writing Teachers March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
Elisa Waingort 
So true, Elisa! The conversations are so important. We will only learn and grow from them.
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And they have to happen. If not, we get stuck.
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Wow, what a well crafted piece. Excellent strong word choice
I am inspired to write something that expresses what lies at my core.
“We all have them there’s no need to pretend.” Truth.
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Thank you for your kind words. That was a very difficult slice for me to write.
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Yes, when we know better, we have to do better. I’ve been talking with colleagues about book choices and voices that need to be elevated. I wish I could be braver about using my voice on social media. I have to do better.
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Chris, it’s not always easy and it’s often draining. We do what we are able. What keeps me going is my conviction that all of our voices and all of our actions together will help make change happen.
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Appreciated this post. Discomfort is necessary. Examining ourselves is critical. TY for your introspection and convictions- I absolutely agree.
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Thank you for your comment, Nawal. I live in discomfort.
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Elisa, I really appreciate your bravery and your writing. I loved the phrase “dissonance is deafening.” But we need to keep listening, keep learning, and keep growing. It’s interesting to me to see how much more personal the conversation has become from the “multicultural education” classes I took in the 1990s. More is asked of each of us now. I think that is a good thing. Thank you for helping me think.
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You’re right that more is being asked of us now than in the ‘90’s. I remember those multicultural conversations! We were just addressing the tip of the iceberg, weren’t we?
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