Just finished up a summer online course in Diversity in Education...students commented on how timely our discussions were, given all that happened during the summer. [Thread]

I agreed that there was some fortuitous timing as topics we discussed matched directly with current events. It only felt "timely" because for white folks it is too easy to ignore, gloss over, or silence.

This is no slight to my students, they are products of a white educational system that is quite adept at erasing non-white stories, concerns, and joy. We spent much of the semester unlearning and relearning educational history, present, and futures.

In their final papers, the most consistent topic that was discussed was that of silence, particularly white silence, ally silence, and disruptive silence.

In considering the role of silence, students questioned previously held assumptions around the necessity of white folks staying silent on race issues. Racial issues are white issues for which white teachers need to use their voice to advance antiracist aims.

Students also questioned the assumptions around ally silence, or when folks believe themselves to be allies by not saying disparaging words toward LGBTQ+ communities. Staying silent around anti-queerness is not the same as standing alongside LGBTQ+ students to demand justice.

Finally, students also considered when silence can serve to disrupt racist, heteronormative structures. Students use silence to preserve their humanity, show distain, or stand in opposition.

For teachers, particularly white teachers who see themselves as allies or teachers who possess varied levels of privilege that afford them power within school systems (yes even teachers have vast amounts of power to wield in their classroom and school)

silence is a weapon--silence around racism breeds more racism and white supremacy. silence around anti-queerness makes others think its okay. silence around ableism makes it easier for others to overlook access issues.

This article from @KUT highlights the damage that teacher silence can enact https://www.kut.org/post/austin-teacher-silence-and-complicity-are-just-dangerous-someone-who-racist?fbclid=IwAR33uGtGk9YsdN_sdJn1e9hXGr8-fHIjp86IyNLy9Er6xdb_RPhPIpZmn6s

Teachers, we have power to enact change and demand that our classrooms, Zoom rooms, schools, and communities serve justice and not oppression. We must be willing to learn, listen, read, stretch, speak, and act.