Racism, white supremacy, and sexism dominate the news channels. From microaggressions to white on black body violence, both unconscious and overt bias threatens the health and well being of our communities. And what about our institutions and places of work? What about our schools? What actions are we taking for the health and well-being of all of our students, faculty, staff, and families? How are we equipping ourselves to look inward, learn about ourselves and others, and develop anti-bias, anti-racist language, and practice? How are we moving away from colorblindness and toward awareness, unlearning the fear of noticing, naming, and embracing racial and other kinds of differences? How can we learn and apply language, strategies, and tools to guide ourselves in our personal and professional lives to confidently take the reins, challenge stereotypes, fight injustice, and open dialogue across differences in order to propel our country forward?
Systemic change in our country is not and will never be possible until we reinvent our education system. We must learn to bring these conversations into our classrooms, to the youngest of our students. When the hearts and minds of our children across our nation are invited into the dialogue, we can expect change.
