February 17, 2020

Focus: What does the celebration of Black History Month mean for us?

Dear Colleagues,

It is only in the past few years that I have come to understand the extent to which the United States of America was built, both literally and figuratively, by African Americans - how much of the wealth that we appreciate today, can be directly attributed to African Americans. The authors of my high school textbooks chose not to write about the true history of race in the United States. When Michelle Obama reminded some and informed others that the White House was built by slaves (here's a fact-checking article) I took it upon myself to learn more - Black History Month provides the intentional space to do just that.

Two years ago, I heard Debby Irving speak about her book Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race at Windsor High School. In her book, she traces many of the laws and events that allowed her white family to thrive while continuing to enslave people of color, well after it was illegal to do so - laws and events such as the Tulsa Massacre of 1921, the GI Bill that denied black soldiers returning from WWII the same benefits to education and housing as the white soldiers they had just fought with, redlining and blockbusting. About midway through her presentation, Irving asked us to talk in small groups about several historical events and their impact today. One of the events that she had mentioned was the Tulsa Massacre. Although I knew bits and pieces about this massacre, I did not know enough to talk about it with my group. A female person of color, physically taken aback asked me, "Didn't your family talk about these events at the dinner table?" When I responded "no", she was perplexed, shocked, and saddened. As was I. We were raised in the same country, the same age, yet we had learned two very different histories of our country.

In preparation for writing this Monday Musings, I asked a longtime friend who identifies as African American the following question: "Why is Black History Month important?" This is the answer which I have been given permission to include in the MM.

"I think quite a lot about why we have a Black History Month and whether or not we even still need it.

My mother once called me and asked if I voted, and as a Democrat voting in a heavily democratic state, I didn't see the point of filling out the paperwork. My state is gerrymandered to the point of comedy, and my vote mathematically could not have made a difference. She told me people died so I would have the right to vote. So I vote.

Black History Month works in a similar vein. People fought and died for the establishment of national recognition of the contributions of Black people to the history of America. The wealth that gravitates toward and supports the operation of [schools such as ours] literally could not have come to be without the blood of black men, women, and children and the unconscionable cruelty and immorality of white men, women, and children.

When people ask whether or not we need Black History Month, why we should have it when American history is black history, and why not just fold black history into the curriculum, I bristle a bit. We need Black History Month if only, but certainly not only, because people fought to have this, and the month offers an annual reminder of that. Not to honor that forcefully and intentionally is simply dishonorable.

Additionally, Black History Month not only affords us an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of black Americans woven into the fabric of the United States, but also to recognize and remember that black Americans, in order to make history, have always needed to be extraordinary. Black accomplishment is measured against a white norm, and so that there have only been 10 black senators since the beginning of Reconstruction is exceptional because mediocre white men have been able to become senators for hundreds of years before and after Reconstruction. Black children are told we have to work twice as hard to get half as far because it's true. Black History Month should ask us to look far and wide not only for the extraordinary, but also for the ordinary humanity that black Americans are not always afforded.

We built a nation for white America that we are always reckoning with as outsiders on the inside.

Civil Rights movements always do the most legally for the oppressed, but they do the most morally for the oppressors. They provide regular opportunities for the oppressors to check themselves, to evaluate their souls and face infrequent judgment for their crimes. Black History Month is an opportunity for you, ordinary Americans (and ordinary global citizens), to do the same. Look into your souls and ask why you send the message that you are more important to the country than I am, even though you wouldn't have a country were it not for me."

Black History Month allows the country to celebrate the accomplishments of the many African American men and women who shaped our country in spite of the obstacles meant to block their way. The project that Ro announced at the faculty meeting on Friday aims to introduce the community to 12 exceptional black Americans. I look forward to seeing the results of our collaborative work!

Have a great week.

Sara, on behalf of the Kravis Center

__________________________________________________________________Related articles

Black History Month Lessons and Resources, Grades 9-12

Is Black History Month Still Relevant, Absolutely yes, one historian says

There Have Been 10 Black Senators Since Emancipation

Knowing the Past Opens the Door to the Future: The Continuing Importance of Black History Month

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Thursday morning PD opps

Thursday, February 20 30, at 8:00 the Kravis Center will host a poster building session for those who are creating a poster for the Gallery Walk on March 23.

If you are interested in this opportunity but not yet signed up, feel free to stop by!

There will be one more Thursday morning sessions to learn about Shared_Spaces on February 20.

Pedagogy of Video Conferencing: Tips for Educators from the Center for the Study of Global Change at Indiana University

Shared Spaces' press page

LC/ Shared_Spaces Schedule Request Google Doc: Use this form to let the Alvord and Nortons Centers know of your plans and ideas.

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External PD opportunities

"The Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice at Greens Farms Academy

is an experiential summer professional development program for educators and other individuals interested in building more inclusive and affirming classrooms through exploration and development of strategies and skills to effectively navigate diversity issues in independent schools."

Get a team of colleagues together to spend some time at St. Andrew's at the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (The CTTL). Sara Deveaux, Lena Sadowitz, and Rachel Nisselson have all attended over the past two years. Read their comments in the external PD opportunities document (linked below).

Reminder! The link to the external PD opportunities is always available. Once in the document, click on the bookmark to find conferences that may interest you. Let Sara know if you would like to add a omment or provide feedback next to a conference that you attended. Please excuse the "expired" dates. Most conferences do not update dates until January.

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Resources to bookmark

Vanderbilt's Center for Teaching is an invaluable resource which includes a plethora of topics ranging from grading student work, to teaching statement to student evaluations of teaching, to writing good multiple choice questions. Check it out!

Deans for Impact and the pdf of The Science of Learning - a must read on teh neuroscience of learning.

Academic Tenacity by Dweck, Walter, and Cohen The New Faculty Cohort (NFC) read excerpts for orientation. A must read on creating a sense of belonging and increasing classroom motivation.

Leadership and Design's monthly newsletter is a great window into current conversations in independent schools