Safety; What We Do When We Deny
© copyright 2013 Betsy L. Angert empathyeducates
Look to the left. Look to the "right." In respect to education each side is willing to talk about sensitive subjects. Granted the two sides differ in respect to the specifics and the solutions. Nevertheless, either or each will dive deeply into a dialogue.
In reference to the subject of Common Core, the Left and Right cannot get enough. Many Republicans and Democrats want nothing to do with Federally imposed curriculum restrictions and requirements. "Teacher Professionalism," each embraces the topic, although again their values and views vary. But publicly state that Black and Brown persons do not feel safe in their neighborhoods and that this veracity has a profound effect on education and people will come after you!
The politically astute and apathetically proud alike, pounce when asked to ponder the problem of urban violence and its affect on parents and children in the community. Cyber-bullying and bullying in general are constructs we can discuss. But speak of the unspeakable and people will likely proclaim that you are being unjustly punitive, politically incorrect, or in short, you are a racist. "Shhh" they say. Let us not talk about that. Other subjects, yes. We can discuss those, but not how anxious an inner city resident feels when in their own home or community. Instead, let us talk about Common Core, bad teachers, and great ones. Those topics are fine; even favorites amongst the education elite. But how fragile life is for the Black and Brown persons who fear crime in their communities? Many say: let's not go there – literally or metaphorically. The effects of crime on the psyches of children of color, and its impact on education, are rarely discussed.
Let's not go there intellectually either, or at least not in any great depth. Skating along the surface will suffice. Academics admittedly do not wish to tempt the fate that of the Moynihan Report [1965] on the Black family. The mainstream too is timid. On occasion, the Press will dip their toes in the waters of awareness. Indeed, in recent months and in the last few years nationally Broadcasters gently touch that tender topic of "violence on our streets." However, mostly these stories feature tales of mass carnage – the shootings in Tucson, Aurora, Milwaukee, and more recently Newtown, a white suburban Connecticut community, but none of these approach that dreaded third rail, violence in Black and Brown communities and its effect on education.
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