Over the MLK Holiday weekend, I rallied alongside courageous teachers who love their job but don’t want to die in the pursuit of doing it in crowded in person classrooms in the midst of a pandemic. As I stood in solidarity with them and chanted in unity for there leaders to hear their needs for safe schools, I realized we were outside, freezing in the cold, as snow flurries grazed our faces and no one was coming to hear us. While I didn’t plan the rally and I don’t work with these teachers, I still wanted their voices to be heard so I stood there with them, sign in tow and kept chanting with the urgent rhythm of our collective demands. But even as I chanted, I strangely expected their leaders to be there to hear their concerns or respond. But of course, there was silence and we just screamed louder to the heavens. But we can unpack later why their was silence from our leaders. However, I think what's most important, beyond the silence, is the voices of those who were resolved to be heard. As the rally ended, and the energy of the moment subsided, I stepped back and took in the crowd of mostly masked black women, who you could tell knew this fight of not being heard all too well, but they stood resolved anyway as the cameras left to keep chanting. They looked like fighters, but still tired all the more. But this act of persistent fight, even when no one is listening and you too tired to move on, I truly believe this is how we will win justice and equity for marginalized and people of color. I also believe as we finally celebrate Kamala Harris, the first biracial WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT of the United States, that that work and fight will be led and organized by fearless ass women! (No shade to MLK, but all the organizing happened thru women, he was an awesome voice and face of a movement, but the workers were lots of women). My mom always asks me why you got to fight all the time and I always tell her that’s what’s necessary to make change. Because the truth is power never simply concedes it’s wrong or gives way to what is just, it will always be a hard fought battle to right wrongs and win justice. As we are witnessing right now, at the highest levels of this country’s leadership, they would rather stage an insurrection at the nation’s Capitol, than concede power, especially to a black woman. So how will we get to the one day where our children have access to high quality education, teachers are empowered to co-create a more holistic vision for children and communities have a supportive ecosystem to thrive? Today, I am certain that this change will happen only if we fight for it with intentionality and purpose ( and with some great women on the front lines...congrats to our new Madam Vice President). Historically, this has always been the case and even today as we feel victorious in this monumental moment of many FIRSTS, we must continue to fight with every tool in our arsenal to fully manifest the promises for our families and communities.
1 Comment
tamira moncur
2/1/2021 07:44:20 am
you are an amazing advocate for our children. Thank you for fighting for my child and my family.
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AuthorEducator, student advocate and community activists. Archives
October 2021
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