Whether as a student or teacher, there are so many emotions attached to the start of a school year. Above all else, there is usually a feeling of hope that this year will be better than all others. This year, the hope I feel goes beyond the academic progress I hope my students will achieve. In light of recent events, my hope is for my students to never experience the hate-filled racist speech that has gotten to be too common in our country. They are not second-class citizens and shouldn’t be treated as such. The American flag flies for them just as it does for everybody else in this country.
Nearly 100% of my students are non-white. Their backgrounds run the gamut, ranging from countries throughout Latin America, Asia, Africa, and yes, the United States. Diversity is ever increased through our staff members who add to the diversity through their experiences, socioeconomic statuses, and nationalities. It says a lot to me that my students can embrace the diversity of their peers and teachers. They value the perspectives of those they interact with regardless of their backgrounds.
Unfortunately, society won’t necessarily be as receptive to my students. The hate that is spewed in Nazi rallies, on social media, and through the news make me think twice about the preparation we are providing them. We are teaching them to be open-minded, curious, bold, and willing to take on challenges. Unfortunately, those are all attributes that could get them in trouble when confronted with racist ideologues. The last thing I want to do is set up my students to be victims of hate.
And yet, I know it is also my duty to ensure my students know when and how to take a stand. They are just as important to our society as anybody else, and should never live in fear. Nobody else has any right to make them believe otherwise. They are representative of the hope I have for this country’s future. One day, I hope that educators won’t have to worry about how to prepare their students for a country that can’t agree on fundamental human rights for every person residing within it.
