"AGITATE. AGITATE. AGITATE" - Defining Educational Justice
In the midst of all that is swarming; the marches continue, our political climate is as tense as can be you can nearly see the civil conflict out on the horizon. There was no justice for Breonna Taylor, 45 is declaring all diversity & inclusion training un American, Covid-19 is still showing no mercy all while resources are beginning to diminish. But school is in session, LeBron James just clinched yet another finals appearance; all the indication that folks are desperately trying to resume life as they once knew it. Since March, when the stay-at-home order came down and schools paused; my team and I; a rag tag group of very intelligent and dedicated individuals who sit at a unique intersection of influence within education; were hard at work trying to ensure we can create safe and efficient learning environments both during and post Covid. While pivoting for virtual, our foundation was grounded in the understanding that things can’t simply go back to the way they were before; we understand that we must create anti-racist teaching & learning environments. Meet a few of the team, Community School Coordinators across different elementary and high schools in Milwaukee as we discuss our visions of EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE.
With the passing of the Legendary John Lewis, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg earlier this year; read these excerpts with the understanding that these are blooming visions of the seeds planted by the social justice giants that have come before us.
Educational Justice is social justice. You can't separate the two or attempt to obtain or even understand the injustices that play out in education without understanding the dynamic of how these two elements intertwine. So to me educational justice is centering at all times in all content areas social justice content, issues, and information. Educational justice is un-decorated truth; its honest to a fault, it is reflective. Its realizing that unlearning in some cases, is far more important than learning. Educational justice tastes of accountability and hope; bitter yet sweet at the same time. Educational justice is active; constantly evolving, seeking understanding. Educational justice is a collective effort; it is communal; it is not driven by fancy titles; but rather impact and a desire to center all those positive and good around this asset that is educational justice that ideally exists in our Community Schools.
“Hustle”
“If you want to be a true professional, you will do something outside of yourself. Something to repair tears in your community...living not for oneself, but for one’s community”
My idea of educational justice is schools where staff, families, and the community all work together to ensure every child is successful. Its school communities built on equity where we meet the needs of the students, families, staff, and surrounding communities. Its school communities that believe every child can accomplish great things, and do their part to ensure that they do. Its school communities that, regardless of the challenges, hold each other up. Its schools were we make each other better. Its school communities where we do not measure students by the “gaps” and “holes” in the data, but by the understanding that we will succeed. Its Community Schools!
Francisco “Pancho” Sanchez, South Division High School MKE, WI
My vision for educational justice is that public schools get a fair and fighting chance! That that schools are fully funded to provide the necessary resources and services that students and families need. I envision teachers who are paid well and feel valued in their work. I envision schools that value building relationships. I envision a curriculum that celebrates and is reflective of students’ different cultures and backgrounds. I envision schools that are safe and welcoming to all parents and community members. I envision that black and brown boys and girls are able to bring their true authentic selves to school without fear of disciplinary action. I envision schools where academics are more than just teaching to standardized tests, but instead quality lessons planned by teachers who are not over worked. I envision a collective effort from schools, states, politicians, families, etc to ensure we see that this and other visions of educational justice are not unattainable goals.
Glenn Carson, Community Schools K-8 Manager, Milwaukee, WI
It’s acknowledging that the current disciplinary system is broken and is causing more harm than good. It’s working together with stakeholders to develop and implement a restorative disciplinary plan that builds students up and not tears them down. It’s believing that every child deserves to have the same opportunities to succeed and dismantling systems that have historically created obstacles to success.
Ludyss Ebratt, Zablocki Elementary, Milwaukee, WI
Educational justice is a commitment to challenging the social, cultural, and economic inequalities encountered by our marginalized and underserved youth. It is acknowledging students’ backgrounds and experiences, and framing their diverse stories as strengths rather than hurdles to overcome. It is our job as school staff to take action and overcome deep-seated barriers to ensure each and every child has a chance to be safe, encouraged, and inspired at school.
Gianna Deloney, Browning Elementary, Milwaukee, WI
I don't always describe myself as an activist. But, I firmly believe that a quality education is a basic human right that has been historically and currently denied to so many students of color. And things we believe in require staunch activism and deliberate action. That is why I view a part of my role, as a community school coordinator, is to create a school-to-activism pipeline. Because teaching our students about equity and justice must be an integral part of any student’s education.
When Frederick Douglass was asked what should be done about injustice, he responded, “Agitate. Agitate. Agitate.” He advised, “Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops without ploughing the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning; they want the ocean without the roar of its many waters. The struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, or it may be both. But it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
Therefore, my vision for educational justice rests somewhere along the lines of: Bring forth the agitators. The accomplices. The activists. These are the type of advocates I want fighting for educational justice next to me, and that is the way I want our youth to see themselves--as activist of their own power!
Samantha Garrett, Community Schools High Schools Manager, Milwaukee, WI
Giving all students an opportunity to learn. Providing access to quality, relevant education through meaningful courses, ending disciplinary practices that remove students from learning environments, distribution of resources and funding to serve the most disadvantaged by the current educational systems and power structures.
Briana Fox, Washington High School, Milwaukee, WI