My post-election experience as a teacher in a predominately Black Middle school with a predominately White faculty has been quite interesting. I've felt a wide range of emotions since Tuesday evening. I've felt liberated. I've been proud. I've been awed and I've also been angry.Obama's election to the White House has brought out the best and worst in many of my faculty members. Those who I've always suspected were progressive, were hopeful and happy. Those who I'd long suspected were bigots, have remained poker faced, sour, and/or seemingly irritated. Opinions will be what they will. Having an opinion merely proves that we are all human. However, my problem arises when I hear about my fellow co-workers barraging students of color with questions about their elation. I become upset when I hear fellow teachers diminishing our collective pride as "a race thing." I become livid when I hear many of my co-workers declaring that our children "don't know anything," and further insult those of us who chose to vote for Obama that the choice took little thought because he is a man of color. The inclination that maybe, just maybe this man was a visionary and the best candidate did not seem to register.I certainly know that sweeping changes don't come overnight. However, this lack of foresight from "educators" angers me. It frightens me. Teachers are the planters of seeds of knowledge. We are the motivators. We are supposed to foster and encourage! Does it not occur to these people that Obama represents our finally seeing ourselves in a position of ultimate power? Has it not occurred to these people that children have a tough time believing things they haven't seen, thus reinforcing their disbelief in themselves? How different is this from our realization that in order for our children to be interested in literature, they must see themselves as the major players and main characters in the narrative? We don't see ourselves as a part of the fold until we are ushered in from the periphery. Marginalization is cruel and hateful and responsible for the dashing of dreams.Since Tuesday, I've encouraged my students to own this triumph. I've also patiently chronicled why this election is of such historic importance to my white students who truly didn't understand. To finally have such a burden lifted from our shoulders is unbelievable, but for our children it is truly the dawn of a new day. They can be anything they want now, with confidence. That is the reason for their celebration, their elation, and their resurgence of pride. Finally, they feel a since of validation. It is possible to breathe! It is okay to be Black and proud now! So, to my co-workers and fellow 'educators', I say... our children do know something... it is you who are too disconnected to accept the welcome end of life as we all once knew it. Change is something we all should believe in.
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