Being Educated and Black Can Get You Killed: What Sandra Bland's Death Teaches Us

Photo acquired from http://endtheeducationplantation.org/category/charter-schools/

Like most educators, I am a firm believer that education is a surefire path toward upward mobility, financial security,  success, and better life chances. I am a testament that a quality education can provide one with an innumerable amount of opportunities and freedom.

This very message is one that we impress upon our students. At the beginning of each school year, most teachers facilitate community building activities centered around students' hopes and dreams and how education plays an integral role in the attainment of said goals. Many of us who teach Brown and Black young people, express to them that as they acquire more education and success, that they not only have a responsibility to their communities, but it is their ticket out of their poverty stricken neighborhoods.

Outside of these neighborhoods is where life and possibilities reside. There is freedom here, there is greater privilege. Education grants you privilege that you've earned. You've earned it through maintaining a high sense of self-efficacy, resilience and perseverance, all of which are attributes we impress upon our students.  As a well educated Black women, I can attest that my education has granted me all of these in addition to a false sense of security. And this is true for my peers.

What is this false sense of security? It is simply the idea that because you are well-educated, you know your facts, you've gained access to spaces (i.e. predominately white universities, corporate offices, etc) that Black & Brown people were historically barred from (some may argue that not much as changed). Our education substantiates that we surpass mediocrity and we are more than capable to contend with our white counterparts. Our education is the fuel to our rocket that can fire us away, obliterating the boxes and constructs society quarantines us to. It reaffirms that we know what we are talking about. That little piece of paper holds a lot of power, and it is one thing that we have control over.

Sandra Bland was a well educated Black woman. She attended a university, maintained a commitment to her community, and believed in giving back. Through her experiences, (and I'd like imagine that her education played a role in this), she possessed great courage to speak against injustices made against those within her community. Through her experiences, Sandra felt empowered and invigorated to clamor and make noise. These are things that we teach our students to do, I know I have. We teach them that this education is something that will propel them to the next level, and that they have a task to take others along with them.

If you look at the dashboard camera video of Sandra Bland's arrest, you will see a woman who is fed up, albeit well-informed of her rights. She is aware that the officer's tactics are not proper protocol. So like any knowledgeable person, she is protesting against injustice. Which, from recent videos, was typical for Sandra Bland.

We teach our students to be empowered by their knowledge. Sandra was empowered. So empowered that she refused to take what was being handed to her, especially when she knew it was wrong, and even if it could put her further into danger. Her empowerment, self efficacy, and perseverance, led to her arrest, which subsequently ended in her demise. The audacity that her education granted her, got her killed.

So what now? Sandra Bland's education gave her the chutzpah to speak up and fight, and she died. What message do we share with our students? My charge for teachers, or anyone who touches young lives is, as you prepare for the upcoming school year, continue to give your students' something to fight for. Yes, share with them the unfortunate truths that society is afraid of educated Black and Brown people. Share with them that, no matter what, no one can take their education from them. Share with them that they owe it to Sandra Bland, their families, their communities, to continue to fight the fight, to make noise, to make a difference, and make change.

Photo Credit: Sandra Bland via Facebook

The Difference Color Makes: A Riot Is the Language of the Unheard... Pt. 2

A friend reminded me that two weeks ago I posted the first edition of this entry, with the intent to have at least an second one. So here it is! Thank you for the reminder friend.

Last week I attended an On the Table talk sponsored by the Chicago Community Trust. OTC provided Chicagoans with an opportunity to come together at different locations through the city to discuss feasible solutions to make our communities, safer, more sustainable, and more dynamic. THe host organization was Global Strategists Association. The topic we discussed was "Racial Equity". I found it interesting that the conversation some how always reverted back to the youth, future, and our responsibility to ensure that we provid them with tools to succeed.

Naturally, conversations of the current #BlackLivesMatter movement arose, as it stands to protest against an onslaught of police brutally, and the value of Black lives. We then talked about the best course of action to be taken. It has been stated that you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar, reigns true when in opposition.

As educators of children of color, we have to ensure that we are equipping our students with tools that not only facilitate academic success, but to promote them building a sound message when fighting for justice.
Retrieved from https://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/northwest-teaching-for-social-justice-6th-annual-conference-2/

What does this mean for educators, those who influence our youth, and those who have an investment in the fairness and equity of our future? Quite simply, we have to understand that there is a time and place for noise, and movement in silence. Most specifically, it is ever more crucial when the skin
color of those involved is other than white.

Let's take a look at how the Waco, Texas Motorcycle Club massacre has been betrayed versus that of the Baltimore Riots. In Texas, we have White grown men participating in abhorrent violence, resulting in a deaths and massive arrests, sparked by gang rivalry. Whereas, in Baltimore, young people, as well regular citizens, participated in, what some may regard as civil disobedience, looting and assault of officers, sparked by the death of a Black man in unlawful police custody.

I will not harp on the disparities in the cases, but I will state that violence and chaos ensued in both towns. However, the image and widespread response for each varied in volatility of language, the amount of coverage from liberal and conservative media outlets, as well as the National Guard. Hosts of bloggers and op-eds have mentioned how the motorcycle gang members have been regarded as just that, while the children and looters in Baltimore were regarded as looters and thugs.

Why is this important for our children? Many of us educate poor Black and Brown children who face injustices on a daily basis, the odds are stacked against them upon birth. As educators, we ought to stress to them that, yes you are capable of affecting change in your communities, but your delivery is crucial, and whether you're clamouring for racial, educational justice, or peace, your plea will be racialized due to the color of your skin. Therefore, we've got to educate them on how to hold officials and government accountable, but in a manner that promulgates a truth that impacts all.

In an effort of transparency, I do not believe that this would completely obliterate prejudices exercised by the media and lay-people when it comes to noise makers, and trouble makers. I do, however, believe it will attract a wider audience, and more bees.