The problem is that white people see racism as conscious hate, when racism is bigger than that. Racism is a complex system of social and political levers and pulleys set up generations ago to continue working on the behalf of whites at other people’s expense, whether whites know/like it or not. Racism is an insidious cultural disease. It is so insidious that it doesn’t care if you are a white person who likes black people; it’s still going to find a way to infect how you deal with people who don’t look like you. Yes, racism looks like hate, but hate is just one manifestation. Privilege is another. Access is another. Ignorance is another. Apathy is another. And so on. So while I agree with people who say no one is born racist, it remains a powerful system that we’re immediately born into. It’s like being born into air: you take it in as soon as you breathe. It’s not a cold that you can get over. There is no anti-racist certification class. It’s a set of socioeconomic traps and cultural values that are fired up every time we interact with the world. It is a thing you have to keep scooping out of the boat of your life to keep from drowning in it. I know it’s hard work, but it’s the price you pay for owning everything.
Most people say that the Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, etc. is the most intense show, but the fourth season of The Wire stands above them all.
The Red Wedding is nothing compared to seeing kids in their early teens being fucked for the rest of their lives by underfunded, under-performing, and uncaring institutions.
Sixty years after the Supreme Court declared an end to “separate but equal” education, many schools have moved back in time, isolating poor black and Latino students in segregated schools. ProPublica investigates Tuscaloosa schools, among most rapidly resegregating in the country.
"Controlled choice” allows parents to rank their preferences from a list of schools, and kids are then assigned by the district based on parent preference and on targeted ratios for mixing poor
Some of us have a very childish attitude. You hear some Black people say, “I don’t look at color.” “I don’t see the world in color.” A person victimized in terms of their color and they don’t see it. And it’s such a foolish, illogical statement. It’s sort of like a child that closes it’s eyes, and because it doesn’t see believes it’s not seen. And so we often think because we don’t see color, the world doesn’t see us as colored. And because we don’t see ourselves as Black, the world is not going to look upon us as Black. Foolish, stupid kind of thinking.
And so they have some people who think then, if they don’t see themselves as African, or they don’t see themselves as Black, they’re not going to be treated as Black, but that very case itself illustrates that problem, doesn’t it? It’s like some people who think they get degrees they’re going to be protected. You know that kid that got killed the other day in the park? And a lot of people were alarmed, “Oh, he went to a Black private school and he got a full scholarship,” as if that would had stopped the bullet. And so those of you who get these degrees, when these people start attacking you, do you think they’re going to stop and ask you, “Where did you get your degree from?” “DMCC, let me off!” No, no. They’re going to see your Black skin and they’re going to lay it on you the way they lay it on anybody else. As a matter of fact, if the system works right, it’s going to be the educated ones that get it first.
When this world is blown up, it will be blown up by educated people, people with PhD’s. Educated people are the most dangerous people on earth.
Because, ladies and gentlemen, who produces these bombs? Some guy on the block? Who produces these germs and diseases? Some crack dealer? These people can wipe out more life in a fell swoop than these crack dealers and whoever you talk about on these streets could do in a century. And yet we look at them as being the criminals, as the greatest threat. It’s the other way around. And I said, we have to be turned backwards, you see.
People educated so they can create any kind of weapon, any kind of thing as long as you give them enough money and a profession-ship. They’ll create something to destroy themselves, they’re children, their great-grandchildren, and the whole of the earth, as long as you get them a house on the corner and get them a little position somewhere. What kind of education system is that?
“If there’s one thing that’s missing in our country, it’s an acknowledgment of the broad humanity of black folks. Racism—and anti-black racism in particular—is the belief that there’s something wrong with black people … and I mean something in our bones.” He continued, “In our own community, we’ve internalized this. We wonder if we lack moral courage.”
Ta-Nehisi Coates as quoted in "The Fight for Black Men"
There are more African-Americans on probation, parole, or in prison today than were slaves in 1850. It is not a crisis of crime. It is a crisis of people being left behind.
“Overly harsh discipline and suspension marginalizes, stigmatizes, and criminalizes these boys,” Ross told me. “When an African-American male in eighth grade has defiant behavior in the classroom, it’s like seeing a burn on their body; we need to treat their behavior as evidence of a problem to be solved rather than a kid to lock up.”
Honestly, I struggle with transparency and sharing, but I feel the need to share a bit about my journey in hopes that it will be an encouragement or perhaps an inspiration.
The past 8 months have been the most challenging yet transformative months of my life. It first began when I decided to leave the classroom in August. But for the sake of this account, it really began in late October when I decided to leave my comfort zone of DC and return to my home, Detroit.
I didn't know what I would be doing or how I would do it, but I knew that I had to take a step out of the boat, attempt to walk on water and hope that, at the very least, God would reward my faith. So, I did! I packed up two and a half years into a UHaul and embarked on the journey of helping to Transform Detroit. I was ever-optimistic and excited to be back in close proximity to my beloved parents and family. My money was dwindling and my prospects were few, but I was living in pursuit of my purpose, so I couldn't go wrong.
Welp...things didn't exactly go as planned. After 3 months, submitting a bunch of applications and receiving a job offer that I wanted nothing to do with, I decided to move on to a place where I was better connected and would have more of a social life. With the encouragement of a dear friend, I went back to a place that proved to encourage and uplift me in the past, the home of my alma mater: St. Louis.
When I first made the decision, I did an exploratory visit and had 10 meetings in two-and-a-half days...about 5 times the number of meetings I had had in Detroit. I felt a sense of excitement about returning to St. Louis and knew it would prove fruitful!
Welp...it did in the beginning. My first few weeks in St. Louis, I felt so confident with my decision. I was continuing to have meetings and connect with extremely well-connected and influential people in the area. Though I experienced some serious setbacks and moments of discouragement, I remained optimistic that something would happen and my move would not have been in vain.
Welp...it wasn't :). During one meeting, I met what had to have been a angel sent from God. I told her what I wanted to do and she seemingly gave me a blueprint for how to do it. After sharing my passions with her, she suggested that I become a consultant who helps schools improve the retention and engagement of young Black men in the classroom.
So, there it began. I was PUMPED!!! I was so excited. I knew that this was it! From there, I had a renewed sense of purpose in my meetings, I reached out to school leaders, superintendents, and community leaders. Some of them were more supportive than I could have imagined. The others merely humored me and made their disapproval of a young woman with 2 years of teaching experience undertaking this endeavor rather clear. Haters gone hate. I actively attended entrepreneurship seminars and networking events...anything that would move me closer my goals.
Still, I was not making the gains and inroads that I hoped to make. Money was going from thin to invisible, and I knew that I would have to do something that allowed me to receive a steady stream of income. Honestly, I was a bit discouraged but remained relentless.
Around this time, I received a random email about an opportunity in Brooklyn, New York. After reading the job description, I realized that it directly aligned with the work that I was hoping to do through my organization. The vision alignment was perfect, and I would have the opportunity to truly grow and develop as a professional. And the icing on the cake was that it would provide me with the opportunity to have a steady stream of income. Haaaay!!!
So after this epiphany came about, I decided to put my hat in the ring for a few other similar opportunities in the area. I went through some rigorous interviews and ended up making what was probably one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made: to re-enter the classroom. Can you believe it? I still can't.
Being completely honest, this decision is something that I still struggle with on a daily basis. But, I feel extremely confident...just as I have with the other leaps of faith...that God will reward my faith. More importantly, I know that I will be continuing to walk in my purpose.
I have a wonderful job secured in an incredible city, but I still have to overcome the bondage of other folks' opinions and limitations. I have worried about people thinking that I can't just make my mind up and decide on a job and a city. I have worried about people judging my decision to be a teacher...a job for which people seem to have very little respect. But moreover, a job that caused me a lot of pain and sleepless nights last time I tried it. I have worried about my ability to adjust to life in the big city and cope with the rigors and long hours associated with working for a charter school.
But today, I came full circle and found a sense of peace.
Three years ago when I first graduated from college and embarked upon the beginning of my journey as a classroom teacher, I attended the annual convention at my church. I clung to the word that I heard for the entire two years that I spent in the classroom and still go back to it today.
Today, as I prepare to embark on a new phase of my journey in a new city, I did the same thing. And I received the exact encouragement that I needed. A few of the high points from Pastor Michelle Butler's message "Divine Intervention When God Interrupts Your Plan"
This is not just about you! God has called us to live a higher life!
You can't allow your comfort zone to stop the move of God.
You don't have to be miserable doing what God has called you to do.
God knows me better than I know myself.
So with that word -- that was SO clearly -- meant for me, I feel empowered to not only embark on this journey but to claim the victory ahead of time. I will continue to seek God for His peace. I will stop dreading and fearing this next phase. I have been completely transformed and my attitude is now of complete thankfulness.
I now wonder, who am I to have been chosen to do the important and incredible work of empowering young people through education? What a blessing and a gift! So, I would appreciate all prayers and positive vibes as I enter this new space. I will keep you all updated...as the work of Elevate is truly just beginning!
