But still, like dust, I'll rise

Rommy Torrico from amplifier.org

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.
-Maya Angelou from Still I Rise

This week we launched our empathy unit. We will discuss what stereotypes, discrimination, bias, and inequality are. As a class we will examine definitions of race and try to understand why talking about race in America is so complicated.
When I revised this unit last year, I intentionally focused on action steps that focus on optimism. Middle school students believe there are always solutions to big problems. When they heard that Milwaukee was one of the most segregated metropolitan areas in America they said, "We should find out what the LEAST segregated cities are and find out what they are doing to bring people together."
This sort of thinking is why I love teaching middle school. 
The questions we are addressing fit into one idea- "What are we missing out on when we don't embrace diversity?"
When our last president repeatedly attacked teachers for indoctrinating students, started a commission to rewrite history refocused on patriotism, and tried to eliminate equity training and any mention of systemic racism from federal agencies many Americans were listening and were emboldened.
They are forming organizations to push back against inclusion in schools. They are demanding alternative assignments when social studies curriculum takes too close a look at current events. These parents write letters to the editor, speak to school boards, call principals and direct their demands at classroom teachers.
As a historian the big picture I see here is fear.
The majority of schoolchildren in America are non-white and while I hate continuing to center the story on whiteness, this is still America's mindset. As the population of children continues to grow and we see more children of color - every hue - how beautiful we will be!
I see beauty but others see something to fear. They fear that the voices of groups who have been left out of our national story for generations are now being heard. With each election, the House of Representatives looks more like America but there is a long way to go. Our classrooms look like America but our teachers don't represent that diversity. Our curriculum does not represent that diversity.
We can't let fear stop us in this progress towards an America where every child sees leaders,  heroes, fighters, thinkers and an innovators that look like them. America needs to be a place where kids see people who DON'T look like them as change makers and leaders.
In fear some LOUD voices are trying to bury stories of empowerment that elevate people of color but my favorite quote when these stories make headlines is
"They buried us, but they didn't know we were seeds." by Dinos Christianopoulos.
​Just as an encounter with an overtly racist bigot recorded on a cell phone makes those of us who haven't experienced this first-hand more aware, hearing people celebrate the end of Black history month or fighting to silence voices who call for more Black history in schools inspires me to be an ally and speak up louder for equity.