June 1, 2020
Good morning -
I hope that this note finds everyone healthy and safe. With the awful and very difficult news of the death of George Floyd and the protests/riots that have been taking place for the last six days, and in my continued desire to open up the dialogue between Blake and the community in a transparent manner, I wanted to reach out and 'check in' with the Blake community. For many reasons I wish that we could all be together as a staff to have necessary conversations and open up a space for dialogue with our students and one another today and this week. The intent of my 'checking in' with everyone is not sent with any assumptions of beliefs, politics, or convictions of others - rather, I am 'speaking from the I' with the hope of fostering conversations. I sent an e-mail to our staff yesterday afternoon (copied below for your reference), sharing that we will work together to navigate these events. ...
Our theme of courage has felt very timely and relevant this year for many reasons, and now more than ever it remains to be my steadfast hope and core belief that Blake is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all. The conversations and work that needs to take place are certainly not 'one and done' conversations, but rather an ongoing dialogue that we must keep alive in a safe and healthy manner. I recognize that as one who identifies as a white, heterosexual male I have been given many privileges and I have a responsibility to engage and act on my beliefs - although I have felt and known this, I know I have an ethical and moral obligation to not only talk, but act on my anti-racist beliefs. Those actions are not fully defined and known and will certainly evolve, but please know that this work is on my mind (as I know it is on the minds of others as well).
I wanted to pass along two 'shares' (a brief video posted yesterday and an article that was written in 2016, but could have been written today as it speaks to the important role we must play as educators) that I found both centering and powerful (ones that I have/will share with the Blake staff as well)...
In Response - Patrick Tutwiler
(3:19)
Patrick Tutwiler is the Superintendent of the Lynn Public Schools, and this is a link to the message he sent to the families in his district.
Let's Talk about Racism in Schools
by Rick Wormeli in Educational Leadership
Rather than give in to the helplessness we feel to stop racism and our collective, civic hemorrhage, every institution must examine its own role in perpetuating (inadvertently and advertently) racist thinking and policies. We can't truly create equal opportunities for all until our institutions take specific actions to end that thinking and those policies. And ground zero for an equitable, nonracist society is the K–12 classroom. Before we consider recent examples of racism and how it affects all Americans, let's be clear: No one is born racist. Racism is learned. Just as important, racism is not insurmountable.
By no means do I have all (or any) of the answers, but I am happy to process, listen, discuss, and share - my door (physical and remote) and I encourage everyone to do the same with one another.
Take care.
Nat
E-mail sent to Blake Staff 5/31/20
Good afternoon/evening/morning -
With the awful and very difficult news of the death of George Floyd and the protests/riots that have been taking place for the last five days, I feel the need to send a quick note to everyone. For many reasons I wish that we could all be together as a staff to have necessary conversations and open up a space for dialogue with our students this week. Please know that although we are not physically together, our Blake community is a strong one and I am confident that we can and will work together as a staff to navigate these events for our students and one another. Our theme of courage has felt very timely and relevant this year for many reasons, and now more than ever it remains to be my steadfast hope and core belief that Blake is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all. The conversations and work that needs to take place are certainly not 'one and done' conversations, but rather an ongoing dialogue that we must keep alive in a safe and healthy manner. I recognize that as one who identifies as a white, heterosexual male I have been given many privileges and I have a responsibility to engage and act on my beliefs - although I have felt and known this, I know I have an ethical and moral obligation to not only talk, but act on my anti-racist beliefs. Those actions are not fully defined and known and will certainly evolve, but please know that this work is on my mind (as I know it is on the minds of others as well). As one small step (potentially just opening the proverbial door), I am offering up a Zoom discussion at 4 p.m. on Monday, 6/1 for anyone who wants to gather and simply talk and check in about the current events for processing, listening, and simply communing.
Please know that there is no obligation to attend this check-in - and, these conversations will certainly continue - I also know it might not work for all, but I wanted to offer a time in a timely manner to provide a space. The tenets below are ones we have shared before and are worth leaning on...
First and foremost, every individual at Blake (students, staff, parents, and the greater community) matters, is cared for, and is an important piece of the Blake fabric.
Second, we are a community of learners who must 'practice what we preach'.
Third, we must always be present and continue to be here for one another. When we are at a loss or are unsure of the steps to take, listening and being present are critical practices.
By no means do I have all of the answers, but I am happy to process, discuss, and share - my door is open - and I encourage everyone to do the same with one another. I believe the most important thing that we can let all of our students and each other know is that they/you are cared for, welcomed, beloved (to reference James Ryan), and accepted.
Take care.
Nat
I stand here today as an ally. I am surely an imperfect one, which is to say I am human, like all of you. I will disappoint some of you for doing too much and others for doing too little, some for going too fast and others for not going fast enough. But I know in my heart where I would like to go, and that is the place where our aspirations and our realities finally intersect. I know that many of you, so many of you, would like to get there as well, and I look forward to our imperfect journey together. - James Ryan