Equity is More Than Just a Word!

Happy Black History Month! By now, you have probably heard the phrase “Black History is American History.” Truer words have not been spoken. If we do accept this as true, then we have to reject decisions such as the one made by the governor of Florida that makes the adoption and instruction of courses that center Black History illegal. Black History should be taught in schools and not as an addendum to U.S. History or American History, but in an integrated way that reinforces the importance of Black people’s existence in this country.

It’s not a coincidence that you are receiving this message on the 1st day of Black History Month. Also, it’s not a coincidence that there is a surge of Anti-Black rhetoric, particularly in schools. The institution of school, curricula, and the political way that schools function, have often been used in a much larger political battle where students are the ones who lose.

It was in school that I learned about my own history, culture, and the integral role that African American people played in building this nation. My teachers cared. They wanted me to be proud of who I was. They understood, although they may not have articulated it, that schools have long been regarded as battlefields to counteract cultural hegemony, racist ideologies, and inaccurate or misleading information. The thing that gives me hope is that people like my teachers, and the people that serve on school boards, superintendents, as well as the custodians and bus drivers in districts across this nation, are standing up and saying, “No More!”

Equity is an action. Maybe even better put, equity is a set of actions. The most important actions geared toward building equitable schools is the development an anti-racist mindset, mustering the courage that it takes to disrupt status quo environments, and engaging in self-reflection that helps individuals grow. Many times I am asked by educators, “what can I do to make my school/classroom/district more equitable?” My question is: Who are you willing to BE to make schools more equitable? Simply put, the best thing we can do to counteract any form of hate, inequities, or maltreatment directed at students and the communities from which they come, is to stand.

You can start today. You can start in the month of February by taking a stand. You can support and teach lessons about Black people to ALL of the children that you serve. This action or set of actions is the beginning of a long journey toward equitable schooling. Will this fix schools? No. But by starting here, you can learn to engage your students and entire school community in different ways that help them be more accepting of all human beings.

Archetype Consulting is happy to be with you on this journey.