A couple months back during a teacher conversation, one teacher made a statement that I thought was tremendously naive and racist. I knew the teacher well and knew her to be a kind hearted, dedicated professional who was continually working to increase her sensitivity and knowledge to teach all students well. When another colleague mentioned this incident to me, I responded that the teacher who made the derogatory comment reminded me a lot of myself at that age as I came into the profession with little anti-racist training, but have since attended many trainings and learned a lot. Yet, that's not to say I know it all, and what happened to me today demonstrated that I still have a lot to learn. When the incident occurred, the teacher who made the comment changed her statement by the end of the meeting as the meeting discussion led her in that direction. It was positive change.
As for myself, when I commented on a tweet this morning, I received a rash of criticism about my comment as my comment was heard as an insensitive racist, biased remark. That was not my intention, however, after reading the many challenging tweets I received, I understood why my tweet was received that way. The most sensitive tweet I received was the one below:
This tweet was informative leading me to new and positive steps to take with regard to my will to be an ally and to contribute to greater equity and opportunity and not the other way around. I will continue to use this tweet as a point of reflection as I think about when to speak up and when to stay quiet. In fact, I would like to pose that conversation to some colleagues and friends, and also read a bit more about this topic to get a better grounding in this matter.
We must speak our truths, and we must also be respectful and sometimes as the tweet suggests uncomfortable and silent as we witness the truths that other's share. There is a right balance between speaking your truth and respecting other's truth.
Last night's debate was disconcerting to me and many others--Trump's continual lashing out with threats, lies, exaggeration, name-calling, and hate rattled me. I found him to be so offensive and frustrating. While so many in the United States are trying to do their best with regard to honesty, respect, hard work, and contribution, he works and leads against us. He abuses the American people with his irresponsibility, bigotry, and self-serving ways.
Unlike Trump, however, when I make errors in judgement, I own my error and then work to make better. I know that none of us are perfect, and the first step to betterment is to humbly move in the direction of truth and justice for self and others. Onward.
