Be About The Kids

Folks.

#BeAboutTheKids

Our country is becoming more and more diverse. There are far more black and brown children in classrooms than ever before. There are fewer brown and black teachers in the profession than ever before.  See THIS for details, or THIS, or even THIS.

I am thankful to you TOCs reading me now who are the only #chocolateteacher at your school. Some of you may be one of many in a super tough urban setting. Some of you may come from a racially balanced school full of white allies who are as fervent about our kids you are. I see you guys…and am diligently working to connect you with skin folk and allies who are on that same struggle bus with you. #youknowthis

I am so thankful for the #wokewhitefolk that affirm the need for change and are actively looking for ways to engage students of color. I have been heartened by white teachers across the country who have reached out and started discussions…asked QUESTIONS…so they can learn how to #BeAboutTheKids…in particular the at risk ones.

You realize it is not the responsibility of your brown skinned peers to educate you on what it means to be non-white in America.

Here is the troubling trend I am seeing, dear white friends. We have TOCs who are starting to reach out in their spaces to educate and elevate…and they are being maligned. White non-woke teachers in particular are clutching their pearls and wondering…why so much talk of color? Why so much negativity.

Well, Becky with the huge blog following, let me tell you.

We do not seek, nor do we require your permission to speak to our kids, to their hurts, their hang ups, their triumphs.

We will not be told to take a seat when all we are trying to do is peel back a layer of understanding so that YOUR kids will be effective.

Because in spite of the petty white washed road blocks you try to put up, we were not here for you anyway. We are here for those who know that there is something to be said for real conversations about equity and social justice.

Do not think to come for me with your pettified memes about building each other up…while you are trying to cover the message that black teachers are trying to share. Rainbow cursive letters don’t lessen the impact of your attempt to silence good teachers trying to step up into their calling.

Don’t think that your huge blog followings are going to preclude me from calling you right on out for your foolishness. #iaintskurred

I said what I said.

Teachers, the only way to deal with a bully is to STAND UP.  So, in spite of it all in the words of Maya Angelou…STILL I RISE.

Folks….Alllll my folks…black and white, know this.

There are people out there who you may think are ‘our folks’ but they are not. They are out there to disrupt and destroy organic thought and conversation. They turn issues for our kids into some kind of debate about not deflating teachers. Or talk about negativity in reference to yet ANOTHER posting about building relationships with kids over gimmicks. They are the ones who publicly smile at photos of black children but privately message you sweet white teacher ally to comment about ANOTHER ‘black post’.

If you are an ally, then the uptick in black-centric posts from your favorite TPT authors doesn’t bother you. I know you, because you share those posts from me and other bloggers with zeal. You celebrate when you can do your part to bring teachers together….because you know it is not about you.

Please know that in the wake of the election there will be much more connectivity seeking posts from many people from diverse backgrounds.

This is not a time for white teachers to be afraid…or to feel a need to drown that out to pave the way for ‘colorblindness’.

The TOCs that I know are trying to get their voices out to help you help your students through whatever they are going through.

Please let us do that with you. For you.

Please don’t ever believe that black teacher bloggers are here for anything else BUT these children.

And if you ever wonder if the person you’re reading is ‘one of us’.  You’ll know because we are about the reality of this calling.  The MEAT….not the garnish on the side of the plate. Don’t be afraid to let them know when you see what they are up to….#BeAboutTheKids

Tell um I sentcha.