This week though, the things I'm sharing have a more serious tone. See, I've made the commitment to read/listen/watch something each day that will keep me grounded in equity work, to learn how I can be doing better, to inform my actions. So as I thought about what to share from the past week, here's what I found to be most impactful & worth sharing the resources with other:
WHERE TO BEGIN ACHIEVING EQUITY IN EDUCATION? COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS.
- I am a big fan of much of what EDNC.org puts out there
- Rupen Fofaria captures the essence of the Equity conference from the Friday Institute back in July
- I was very struck by the courage of Pitt Co. educator Meredith Southworth. As Fofaria writes, she,
- "was the lone white voice on a keynote panel of educators. While her Black and brown colleagues expressed eagerness to have a conversation about equity, she opened up about her fears. In a brave moment of vulnerability, she said she felt scared she might say the wrong thing.
“Then I realized that saying the wrong thing is a whole lot better than saying nothing at all,” she said. “So just agreeing to be a part of this panel was a huge learning experience for me.”
That attitude, coupled with an open heart, are necessary ingredients to have these vital and pivotal discussions, several presenters said."
- "was the lone white voice on a keynote panel of educators. While her Black and brown colleagues expressed eagerness to have a conversation about equity, she opened up about her fears. In a brave moment of vulnerability, she said she felt scared she might say the wrong thing.
- Like Meredith, I'm learning that it's imperative that we say something.
- One of the keynote speakers, Tru Pettigrew suggested that courageous conversations should use, "a "Heart – Head – Hands” approach. It starts with approaching the conversation with a right heart, to foster a safe space to hear each other and connect with the other’s experiences."
- I learned so much from this conference and am hoping to continue connecting with those who presented, and engage in my own courageous conversations. The entire EDNC article is worth reading to get an idea of the sessions, and they provide a link to watch the public recordings from the FI
HOW TO OVERCOME OUR BIASES? WALK BOLDLY TOWARD THEM
- I love a TED talk... so there's 2 listed this week!
- The Daily TedTalk channel is a go-to for me when I'm doing dishes or going for a quick walk
- Picked this one as I'm learning more about my biases
- Unexpected and completely appreciated the humor Vernā brings
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AN INJUSTICE
- Was referred to this TEDTalk as an exemplar for getting your point across through story
- If you haven't heard of Stevenson, definitely watch this...
- Then read Just Mercy
- And watch the movie based on Just Mercy
- Andlisten to or watch the TedTalk with Stevenson & Rep. John Lewis
- If you're inspired at all by what John Lewis and other giants of the Civil Rights Movement did in the 1960's, you need to pay attention to what Stevenson has been doing the last few decades.