We have umbrellas, too.
Can I share a story with you?
Recently, I was dropping my son off to school as I usually do. Just as I was going full steam ahead, I felt the rain come down on our neighborhood. It got dark quickly and, of course, I forgot my umbrella and raincoat! In my mind, I made up a million reasons why I didn't have that umbrella so I wasn't conscious of what was happening right in front of me.
In the midst of my preoccupation, someone said "Good morning!" But I'm from NYC and I'm in Harlem, so I just gave a light smile and nod. Then she asked, "Are you Jose Vilson?" I said, "Yes?" And she says "Oh my goodness, I love your work with EduColor! You keep us going!" My face cracked a smile and a big "Thank you!" before I got to an event where I was advocating for our schools.
I, along with so many of us, need reminders of how much our work matters. A few years ago, it was normal for us to say we wanted culturally responsive curriculum in every classroom. We unapologetically want to see historically excluded people in our curricula and we do so across multiple contexts. Now, our vision towards a shared humanity feels splintered if you let some policymakers tell it.
We will win.
As we start the school year, it's a good time to remember our mission and vision and why we got into education to begin with. Our children are watching us. They'll see how the people they've entrusted with their minds managed the storms in front of them. While many of us throw down for schools outside the building, we also recognize the work many of us are doing from within the school building.
Thank you for continuing the fight. Thank you for weathering storms that were not of your making. Thank you for doing this in community, not in isolation. We thank you for bringing the light until the clouds break apart.
Jose
