Advocacy

Oakland’s School Board Cares More About Politics Than It Does About Kids and Families
Reyna Morales lives in Oakland, California, and is the parent of two students at a high-performing charter school located in an area with a dearth…

The Government Is Still Preventing the Rise of the Black Messiah in Schools Today
I was gifted an advanced screening of “Judas and the Black Messiah” earlier this week and it affirmed just how much education equals power, while…

The Elections Are Over, But Education Politics Aren’t. Are You Ready?
Elections have consequences. This phrase is often cited, and in the wake of last week’s elections, I find myself alongside other educators, reeling in the…

Where Kids Learn Isn’t Important. What They Learn Is.
Last week, I was part of a conversation around creating equality and equity for Black students in the public school system. One message that was…

Advocating for My Students Requires Being Political on My Own Time
With election season upon us, like clockwork, the collective efforts to stifle the political opinions of educators has begun. Navigating this climate requires a nuanced…

Advocating for My Students Means Calling Out Racist Statements From Educators
I have done a lot of self-reflection over the last few weeks. I am angry with myself. I, who pride myself on being culturally competent,…

Teachers, If You Haven’t Been Giving a Damn About Your Students, We Definitely Don’t Need You Now
Before I stroll into my routine of being a habitual line stepper, let me state my usual disclaimer. Educators, I love and appreciate y’all. I…

The Only Thing Certain About Reopening Schools Is Black and Brown Kids Will Be Screwed Again
I don’t know if y’all have noticed, but nobody knows what the hell they’re doing with this school reopening thing. And look, I don’t envy…

Reopening Schools While Coronavirus Is Still on the Loose Is Ass-Backward
I swear this country is ass-backward. In last week’s Senate hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci—the nation’s leading expert on the coronavirus pandemic—said outright, “… states will…

This Student’s Story Shows Why Distance Learning Can’t Always Come First
Before we get started, I want you to really take a moment and imagine how it feels to walk in my shoes for a day:…