“I can’t believe what you say because I see what you do.” ~James Baldwin
In holding myself accountable about writing more as a means of both reflection and motivation, I’m writing on this beautiful Sunday to clear my head. After our 1-day workweek last week due to snow, ice, and hazardous driving conditions, I find myself reaching down, really deep, for motivation to face the upcoming workweek. Yes, I still get satisfaction, joy, comedy and motivation from working with kids; however, there are still days when it’s not enough.
Ok, maybe that’s not the best way to describe how I feel. Perhaps, I can best describe my state of mind by the James Baldwin quote I used above. I read it this morning on Twitter and felt a sense of relief. I have felt that way in many (work) situations, but my actions were mischaracterized by such terms as anti-social, standoffish, or mean. In reality, I just don’t f&%$ with you!
By you, I mean the Black teachers who call themselves teachers, but cannot be bothered with actual teaching. Worksheets ain’t teaching, y’all. Neither is not allowing kids to ask questions.
By you, I mean the Black teachers who uphold White supremacy by making kids stand with a shoulder against a locker. In the name of structure and discipline.
By you, I mean the Black Teachers who uphold White supremacy by making students stand silently outside your door until you’re ready for them to enter your classroom. In the name of structure and discipline.
By you, I mean the Black Teachers who parrot the same racist generalizations and lies that people have used to categorize and label Black and (varying shades of) Brown people for centuries.
For these reasons, I won’t sit with you at lunch. Grab a drink with you after work. Attend the pointless and unorganized meetings you call to complain about the lack of structure and discipline.
I can’t sit with you at lunch because I see what you do. I will, however, thank you for showing your true self because that makes my self-exile justifiable.