As we as a nation watch the confirmation process that Judge Brown Jackson will traverse over the next few weeks, we should use this as an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s education system. If our public and private k-12 education system was up for confirmation would we have the courage to acknowledge its faults and take deliberate and purposeful action to solve the inherent built-in inequities that deny Black and Latino students their ability to fulfill their full potential?
Tag: Racism
We Don’t Give a Damn About Equity Initiatives Without Intentional Investment in Our Kids
It’s been a year since this piece was written and since CPS chief education officer (then chief equity officer) Maurice Swinney committed to developing the CPS Black student achievement task force. In that year, there’s been significant leadership transition, with Pedro Martinez stepping in as CEO, and it’s recently been announced that Patti Salzmann will replace Swinney as chief education officer.
Critical Race Theory Bans Are White Supremacy’s Trojan Horse
This post originally appeared on Hope and Outrage from Tanesha Peeples on July 15. Y’all, are they still teaching Greek mythology in schools? Interestingly, it used to be one of my favorite subjects in grammar school. Now, in retrospect—and with an abolitionist mind—I realize it was just another subject taking up space that could’ve been used to teach real history.…
White People: Here’s Why Moving to a “Good School” in a “Good Neighborhood” Is Racist
Many White folks, especially northern white liberals who voted for Obama, would argue they are not racist, even while they actively cause harm to Black folks by their racist actions. Since so many people don’t know what racism is or how they are racist, here are three racist things that northern White liberals do: Engage in “White flight”—when poor Black…
Dr. King Would Have Shined a Light on the Shame of ‘Progressive’ Cities. So Should We.
On the day that the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was taken in 1968 he had become increasingly focused on the least of these, the poor, people suffering in the margins, families left behind as the country’s economic prosperity boomed and the U.S. found it easy to fund its war machine. Today we will once again honor Dr.…
This Week in CPS, All Eyes Are on Oak Park
Last night, Starz premiered its new series, “America to Me,” a documentary focusing on the experiences of students at Oak Park River Forest High School. The series is already generating buzz. This conversation between director Steve James and former Oak Park middle school principal LeeAndra Khan previously appeared on Education Post. Two summers ago, I wrote an essay called “The…
Racial Crossfit: Movies Edition
As I prepare myself for my seventh, yes, seventh, viewing of “Incredibles 2” with my daughter, I was inspired to have a new movie-themed racial crossfit! Lucky for you, the assignment is not to watch “Incredibles 2” seven times without going crazy. And for you high school English and social studies teachers, this is an assignment you can do right…
We Got Rid of Roseanne. Now Let’s Get Rid of Racist Teachers in Schools.
Roseanne Barr’s recent racist rant isn’t surprising to most Black people. In fact, it is the exact type of commentary Black folks have to encounter ALL THE TIME. Most damaging are the “Roseannes” who work in schools and educate our children. A recent Washington Post story dug in on surveys of Black elementary school children and concluded that something…