Yesterday, Twitter was lit up over the death of #altonsterling. Today, there is a new name #philandocastile.
As cohesive as the education community can be when it comes to a myriad of things, there is a deep divide between teachers and students, and teachers and the families they serve on the issue of #blacklivesmatter.
Last week, during the BET Awards, an actor and activist gave a moving two minute acceptance speech for his humanitarian efforts and amplification of the BLM movement. There was a public outcry for his firing from his show, Grey’s Anatomy. Then, within days of his riveting commentary on the need for the BLM movement and his elevation of the black community, two different men, in different cities were both killed by the police. Underscoring his speech and the need for more activism on the issues that created the need for the BLM in the first place.
The black community is devastated. Let me tell you that even your closest black friends are talking about this…even if they are not talking to you. If they have a son, grandson, nephew or male cousin, they are talking about it more. They are pulling their boys tighter to them and speaking between tight lips and teeth: Do whatever they say to do. Just comply. Just comply. Just comply.
If you think that this is the first season in the life of young black people that parents have had that type of conversation, you’d be wrong. Most black people have ‘that story’ about the police. Most of the time, it doesn’t end in a shooting or a death. Sometimes, just after you comply…you are still subjugated to shame and humiliation…while you are complying. These shootings are not about compliance. They are about systemic and pervasive racism that leaves even compliant black men and women in a position to have to defend their innocence. The assumption that if you are black you are more likely to be doing some thing unlawful is just part of the profiling that is occurring on a daily basis in America’s cities.
Interestingly enough, with something like this, you would think that teachers would be thinking of their own students and closing ranks on a definitive way that lets the families of their students know that ‘we stand with you’. On the contrary, what is currently happening, more and more, with each ‘viral killing’ is more teachers defending the police who have done the killing. The comments are everywhere.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your black students are going to be in crisis over this. They are going to have hurts and hang ups that you may or may not be able to understand, but they are there.
There is a burgeoning mistrust of law enforcement brewing, especially in the urban areas where these shootings are occurring.
So…what SHOULD teachers be doing right now?
Know that the black and brown boys you teach every day could be these people we’ve seen shot and killed in interactions with the police. See them in the faces of the people who are being killed. See their mom’s crying about them. See their friends crying. These are real people, with families and loved ones. They are not just ‘thugs’ or ‘people with records’ who deserved to not go home to their families. We have places for people to go when they don’t follow the law. It is called jail. Not the morgue.
Support your students’ need to discuss their heartbreak and outrage. Be a safe place for them to go as their teacher.
Do not allow yourself or anyone else to think of your black and brown students as inherently deficient because of their poverty or parentage.
Resist the need to pacify or excuse what is happening with regard to the BLM movement or institutional racism.
Lead discussions about bias on your campus. Encourage your administrator to seek out teachers that reflect the culture of the students at the school so that students have many different experiences in their time at your school.
Amplify the voices of your friends and neighbors who are asking questions and seeking answers.
If you love a police officer, pray for them. Daily. Pray for wisdom. Pray for good judgement. Pray for safety. Pray that their hearts fill with love for the community that they are called to serve and protect. When they visit your school, help them build relationships with your students.
Teachers of color are in the minority in classrooms across the country. We NEED white teachers to come along side us and love our children through this very difficult time. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions, but know that you may not be ready to hear the answers. Know that you may not have any answers. That’s okay. Just be there. We are hurting, and so are the kids.
Barbara says
I’m so upset to the point of depression… I feel so angry and numbed by these events that I had trouble getting out of bed! Today, I will love my child an continue to talk about how we may change the world we live in by taking action
Tamara says
Love to you, Barbara! Thanks for always amplifying and being conscious of what’s happening in the black community. Your daughter is so blessed! 🙂 xoxo
Blair Turner says
I wish you didn’t have to write this, but thank you for doing it so beautifully. <3
Tamara says
Thanks so much, Blair. 🙂 xoxo
Kimberly Geswein says
Your words are so true and powerful. Thank you for saying what needs to be said.
Lee says
Thank you for writing this. I know that sometimes I find myself rendered speechless by cruelty and ignorance. But being speechless is not an option. I will use my voice.
Diane Romo says
Beautifully written Tamara. Thank you!
Diane
One Giggle At A Time
Tasia says
It saddens me that these words are necessary, but I’m thankful you had the courage to share them!
Jameson Michelle says
I think it is time for all teachers to really take a hard look at their hidden biases. It may not be intentional but it is done. “Oh his mom works three jobs she is not going to care that he does not do his homework,” “Oh, she can only read at a 1st grade level and therefore will not be successful at this activity.” I am lucky to work in a school and a district that has a staff that is close to (not as) diverse as its student population. I have trainings, classes and PD set up for me as a white teacher to learn to better incorporate culturally competent teaching strategies (not just slap a brown clip art on a worksheet and call it good.), I am very fortunate that I have friends and family that are willing to talk openly to me when I have questions, OR call me out on my own ignorances.
I love this post. Everything about it. I pray that the officers of my community can overcome this with dignity and wisdom. Thank you for including everyone in this post. It is clear more than ever that we need to stand up as a group and lift each other up. No blaming, no judgment. As an educator it is our job to do just that…and it doesn’t stop with the children we teach. We CAN teach our communities.
I live in the community that I teach in. I am grateful for every experience that is in my community. I grow, learn, and grow some more. #stpaulpride
Thank you again for having the words that I did not.
Jameson
Lessonswithcoffee.com
Tamara says
Your heart is so tender for your students and community. It is in our weakness we are made strong! Believe that your efforts to reach your students now and going forward will speak volumes to them and will leave a legacy. Praying for your students and community! Thank you for ‘being here’ with us. 🙂 xoxo
Jacqueline says
This is beautifully written. Thank you for sharing!!
Jillian Starr says
Thank you for writing this Tamara! I hope everyone in our teacher community reads your words and comes to understand that being passive about the BLM Movement is to essentially support systemic racism. We must do better!
Tamara says
We must! Thanks Jillian! I appreciate your support, truly! xoxo
Ashley says
Thank You for not being afraid to say what we all are thinking!
Carrie says
Thank you. A million times thank you. I’m a white teacher in a largely black school community. I sense anger, defensiveness, and fear. I also sense love, hope, and endless faith. I pray everyday for “my” kids-all 600 of them, and we talk pretty openly about our lives. I’ll keep the lines open. God bless us all.
Linda Joyce says
Very well written. Yes, the police have jobs to do. Yes, they should be listened to. Yes, they need to defend themselves. BUT it is the preconceived, set-in-the-fabric-of-society ideas of how they approach different groups of people that is causing the harm! THAT is what needs to change!
Retta says
As always, you have said what needs to be heard. We must “love our children through it”. Love is the only answer in the midst of madness.
Melissa Williams says
Thank you for writing this. I’m going to share this on my FB page. I hope others will read it and be moved to reflection and action.
Melissa Williams
First Grade Frame of Mind
Nicole Brown says
So well written! Continue to shine your light and spread your wisdom. We’re listening.
Kelley says
These events are heartbreaking and outrageous. This is an awesome article. Thank you so much for this truth! One thing: “complicit” means “involved in illegal activity,” so when you say ” . . . even complicit black men and women [are] in a position to have to defend their innocence,” I think you mean “even COMPLIANT black men and women.” If they were complicit, they would have no innocence to defend. Otherwise, this is fabulous, and I totally agree. I will take your advice to heart.
Tamara says
Yes! 🙂 I got it. Thanks!
Wrote the post through tears…needed to fix that for sure. Thank you so much for reading. This next chapter will be tough, but I think if we all work together we can come up with some ways to help make meaningful change.
Paula Beckerman says
Thank you for speaking this important message again, I’m so sorry that it still needs to be said.
Amy says
Beautifully written, Tamara.
I find it sad that people refuse to believe that racism still exists in our country. It exists, and it is ugly. I fail to understand why people think that pointing out problems in our society means that we disrespect the police. We need regroup as a country and remind ourselves of our core values, and ask ourselves whether or not actions by our political and community leaders support those values written in our Constitution.
Cathy says
heartbroken this morning. Thank you foot writing this Tamara.
Sarah says
Thank you. All of my students are people of color, and while I know my pain is not the same as that of the black community’s, I fear for my kids now and as they get older. It amazes me that #blacklivesmatter can be seen as something radical or controversial by anyone, but especially by educators. Thank you again for this post.
Sarah
The Designer Teacher
Kelli Olson says
I am angry, confused, hurt, and heart broken. Your post reminded me of what I can continue to do to be there for my students, families, and community and what else I need to do still. With the latest killing of Philando Castile happening across the street from an apartment I use to live at and a mile from where I currently do, it’s a reminder that unfortunately, what is currently happening in our country, can happen anywhere and I need to be a visible ally to all my families, especially those of color, so they know I stand with them and am doing what I am able to make change happen. Thank you for your post.
Julie H says
Thank you for writing this. I was heartbroken to see negative comments on Instagram when a fellow teacher-author posted a quote from MLK about standing up for injustice. I hope that this post serves to educate others on the extra calculations minorities must make in order to survive something as simple as a traffic stop. That even if they comply they may be subject to shame, humiliation, or worse, death. All things that those with privilege take for granted. I think the first step is understanding that institutional racism is still a problem in our country, then listening to and supporting communities of color when they demand reform of our police departments. I also agree that teachers must examine their own biases and misconceptions so they can then help our students navigate these issues with compassion and understanding.
Krystalle Dickson says
Thank you for posting this! I am a white teacher and am blessed with teaching children of many different backgrounds. I am outraged at what is happening, but feel that at this time, I need to be in a supportive role – allowing children who this directly impacts to feel empowered through speaking up, as I realize I can never truly understand what it means to be marginalized. I will forever and always support any marginalized group of children, and I am grateful for educators like you who help provide direction for me to continue in that role.
Chrissy says
Thank you for this post! My heart hurts so much! The school I teach at is 90% African American and I think of my babies in my class whenever something like this happens! I was actually at one of your workshops last week in Florida at the SDE conference. Thank you for this post!
Kirsten Tulsian says
This is SO important…. thank you for being the voice and for giving some guidance. YOU are the change we wish to see in this world!
-Kirsten
Lori Labrum says
I am concerned for two of my nine grandsons, along with one granddaughter of three granddaughters. You see, these three precious children came into our family through adoption, all three within three years. They are a different color than the majority of the people in their community. Right now they are ages 5,3, and 2. What will they be faced with as they grow older that their siblings won’t need to worry about? What a challenge for all children. I pray we can overcome this biased thinking.
Katie says
Thank you for this post.
Krystal L. Smith says
Wow! Such a powerful post. The area in which I teach is prone to violence. And although my school and district are close to being about 50% black and white, our teachers do not mirror that. We all know that all lives matter, but all lives are not being shattered by bullets and put on display in the news and media. Over the past few years, too many black boys and men have lost their lives. As a mother of a black boy, I almost cried when I learned I was having a son. My mind fast forwarded to him being a 12 year old boy riding a bike. I told my husband he’s not allowed to play with toy guns. Ever. Why as a mother of a now 18 month old are these things crossing my mind? Something has to be done about this.
Tamara you offer some great tips on what we as teachers can do. To be honest, as an African America on teacher, I wasn’t exactly sure what to do. We all have biases that need to be addressed in order to connect with and understand our children and their families. People please be open to change. The lives of our children, friends, and family depend on it.