Last night, amid protest happening in Atlanta, a student texted to ask what I thought about what was happening in our city. She asked if I thought this event would appear in textbooks & how teachers would approach the topic in class. This was my response. #AtlantaProtest 1/10
“Textbooks are written by the dominant culture, for the dominant culture. Social movements that give voice to power and expose injustice and inequity remain excluded from the text.” #AtlantaProtest 2/10
“When one reads about social change w/in a textbook, it’s often a brief mention that comes from the perspective of a member from the dominant culture. Therefore, I don’t expect this moment of history to appear in the textbooks of future students.” #AtlantaProtest 3/10
Most tchrs won’t bother to address issues of injustice w/in their classes.
I explained the majority of marginalized history is shared orally, through songs & journals which authenticate our experience & provide context to otherwise watered-down narratives. #AtlantaProtest 4/10
I explained the majority of marginalized history is shared orally, through songs & journals which authenticate our experience & provide context to otherwise watered-down narratives. #AtlantaProtest 4/10
Each generation must share that knowledge with the next so we can draw strength and hope when things feel hopeless. We can remember that despite the ignorance and oppression of the foolish, and the complicit silence of the moderate...
#AtlantaProtest 5/10
#AtlantaProtest 5/10
We STAND on the shoulders of giants,
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants,
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants,
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants,
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants...
#AtlantaProtest 6/10
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants,
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants,
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants,
Who STOOD on the shoulders of giants...
#AtlantaProtest 6/10
Who didn’t passively endure, but fought, rebelled, protested, organized, strategized, & mobilized so we could be the recipients of emancipation & equality by law, a dream deferred. The same way our predecessors found a way to wearher the storm, so will we." #AtlantaProtest 7/10
Although I could not promise textbooks will ever tell the story, I assured her that I would say those stories, fill in the gaps, give voice to the historically and socially oppressed, and ensure my students knew the truth. #AtlantaProtest 8/10
I will encourage my fellow teachers, parents, activists, and community organizers to be voices-crying in the wilderness, speaking truth to power so none can say that haven't heard.
Hate is a learned behavior, and ignorance is the product of poor education. #AtlantaProtest 9/10
Hate is a learned behavior, and ignorance is the product of poor education. #AtlantaProtest 9/10
It’s not our duty to chase after ignorant folks & make them listen or claim education is THE cure. I know the impact of irresponsible teaching & educators are influencers who are empowered to engage & inspire responsibly. What will you do with your power? #AtlantaProtest 10/10
