What About Us?

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     I was thinking about the song written by Micheal Jackson called: Earth Song, especially the lyrics as follows: What have we done to the world. When you hear the complete song, and watch the video for the song, you understand that this song is a message to raise awareness of human beings and the environment, about the damage that humans have caused. This song was written at a time when there was much concern for the Earth, and the Ozone layer. Today while there is care and concern for the Earth's atmosphere and the environment, I think that we must and should demand more care and protection for humanity. These thoughts are echoed with the question in the song: What About Us? 

     The concern and cause for humanity is something that we strive for each and everyday, but this cause was re-ignited with the shooting in Stoneman Douglas Parkland School, Florida, and also the shootings in other schools as well. To begin to say that school shootings are something that we should get used to is actually very concerning. Why should any child/student, teacher, educator, or any staff member feel that when they go to school, they might not walk out alive? Why should anyone have to feel this way? We can think about the damage of the loss of lives that happen through these shootings, this damage surfaces when we hear about these through the news media, and of course through those who witness, and are affected by the devastation. To understand how and why individuals are able to possess guns, and shoot to kill individuals who have done no harm to them, has to be questioned, why? And not only that killing should never be the solution to any kind of hate or anger. 

     The shootings reveal hurt and harm that happens through the actions of these individuals. But what about the invisible hurt, the hurt that happens everyday at schools? In my previous thoughts, I wrote that school can be the source creator of problems. and the root solution to problems. In this sense we have to think about what is going on in schools. Whether we want to admit it or not educators are political beings. What they are teaching is delegated by the Government of the Day. How they decide to teach this content might reflect their personal preferences, or even foreshadow their political beliefs and values. The idea of educators as political beings is also reflected through how educators will act, behave, and communicate with each other. This could be viewed as positive or negative. But what happens when political beliefs clash?

     It is important to have our political opinion, or belief, but to what extent should these be exercised within the school climate? Political beliefs, opinions or values shape school culture and climate. But when these are exercised at the level of extreme, then they can also decide which students are set-up for failure, and which are set-up for success. When patterns in student learning, or interactions with other educators emerge through this lens, then it is a sign to say, it is time to re-check, and re-think teaching practice, and also to look closer at school dynamics.

     We should never have such extreme hate, or deliberately target schools and students. The educators weather passionate or not has a job, and that job is to teach, allow students to think, learn, and understand who they are, not to be molded to become a political object, filtered out, or set-up for failure. While students themselves are not aware of the politics of schooling, as parents, and educaters who do really care we have a responsibility to them. Attaining an education that is equitable to all, is their human right.

     Notes: These words are a critical analysis of a schools political climate, they do not intend to disregard the great work that educators do, but are to reveal a reality, that this culture exists and has impact upon students. Any form of extremity is harmful, does a political belief need to be so extreme as to hurt the success of students? The devastating shootings are not only another wake-up call to gun violence, but a reminder to all educators about the value of students, they are all valuable regardless of which and what political belief is preferred. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness. 

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​These thoughts were originally hand written on February 18th, 2018.