EverbodyLuvsRaymondsEdBlog

Every day for a Black educator is tough. In a world of parallel truths, you have to determine what's essential and what is fodder. In many of the articles that I read, I immediately categorize them as fodder. However, on occasion, I read something, and it either triggers me or intrigues me. The most recent article by Rick Hess, Resisting' Anti-Racist' Education Is Neither Racist nor Unreasonable, is a tad bit intriguing. Hess states, "The failure to appreciate what's fueling the resistance is unfortunate, destructive, and obscuring opportunities for constructive engagement." 

I recently read an article penned by Frederick M. Hess and J. Grant Addison . Like most articles I read, I went into it with the best of intentions. Quite frankly, both authors have put out substantial bodies of work. Hess and Addison remain highly respected in their respective fields. I went in optimistically. Hess and Addison immediately rail against anti-racist approaches to teaching. The article compares "anti-racism" to being "anti-crime" or "anti-medicine." I'm not sure about anyone else, but I'm certainly not anti-crime or anti-police. But approaches to how law enforcement police minoritized communities have long been a question presented by raced people. 

Again, with great reluctance, I've decided to respond to an opinion piece that I've identified as anti-anti-racism and borders on the lines of anti-LGBTQ+, especially when we unpack the portrayal of gender ideology. The writer of this article published this opinion piece through Newsweek but occasionally writes for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute . It is essential to mention this affiliation, as the release of the thought-provoking work by Robert Pondiscio titled: " I believe “antiracism” is misguided. Can I still teach Black children",  came out of this camp as well.

I recently read (with great reluctance) an article written by Robert Pondiscio titled "anti-racism" is misguided. Can I still teach Black children? The short answer is no, but for the sake of argument, I'll go through my usual triggers when people try and "shock jock" and minimize the importance of anti-racism in schools.                                                                      20 Years of Stellar Service  I'll start with the good. Mr. Pondiscio has spent the last 20 years in high-poverty schools in the Bronx in Harlem. He believes in high expectations for all students and that academically and behaviorally, we must have a high bar for Black and Brown kids (all kids, for that matter). By pointing out, we must have a high bar for Black kids behaviorally gives me racist undertone vibes. It's as if Po...