#documenting growth

[iambambi]

Take pride in yourself.

[nomadmanifesto]

my sister's a senior in high school. this semester they're reading and discussing heart of darkness (i think i skipped those two weeks when i was in high school). lately she's been complaining about her teachers and classmates and the racist things they've been saying.

i'm thinking about teaching, about education (within a capitalist system), and intentions. 

it's irresponsible to attempt to teach heart of darkness as a work of fiction. it is irresponsible to shy away from actually critiquing colonialism, western imperialism, and capitalism. it is irresponsible to attempt to parcel the art from the artist, to attempt to differentiate between the main character's racism and the author's racism. it doesn't matter if the teachers have good intentions. in education intentions aren't enough. you can't begin discussions about imperialism and colonialism and africa if you're unable to facilitate the discussion that'll ensue.

part of realizing the role education plays within a capitalist society is realizing that teachers aren't supposed to teach about imperialism and colonialism in a way that disrupts the dominant historical narrative. and even if they want to it's difficult to do so because of a lack of support and resources.

i'm also thinking about what role i want to play as a teacher, and how limited my role as a teacher will be if i'm unable to see outside my own classroom, if i am unable to connect the struggles of my students and myself as an educator to the broader class struggle against capitalism and imperialism. and an integral part of dismantling these systems is realizing that education is first and foremost about unlearning. 

jonathon kozol is one of my favorite educators. i remember reading an interview he gave last year where he said that the next revolution will begin in the classroom, and will be led by teachers. i wholeheartedly agree.