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Representation in education matters: a thread.
When I was a young brown kid in a low-income city, my interracial parents were 100% about eduction, as many first gen parents are. I grew up on classical literature and music alongside soca and Robbie Burns.
When I was a young brown kid in a low-income city, my interracial parents were 100% about eduction, as many first gen parents are. I grew up on classical literature and music alongside soca and Robbie Burns.
My parents would sit us down after school and gave us extra math homework and French lessons and life skills classes. But they didn’t have university experience - neither did anyone in my family (keeping in mind my grandmother, daughter of indentured labourers, was illiterate).
So while I excelled in high school, I genuinely thought a 93% average wasn’t good enough to get into university (not a humblebrag). What did I know ? I didn’t have any money anyway, and I knew my parents didn’t either.
And then came along the only black teacher in our school.
And then came along the only black teacher in our school.
He always kept his eyes out for the POC kids - like one time there was a hallway rap battle, with white teachers on edge and not knowing how to deal (the school was rough tbf), he just strolled up and started “ooohing” at the disses in the middle of the circle.
He always acknowledged & greeted PoC kids cheerfully. As a former corrections officer, even the toughest kids respected him.
He asked me in the hallway one day about university. I explained my situation and he explained why I should go (we need smart women!).
He asked me in the hallway one day about university. I explained my situation and he explained why I should go (we need smart women!).
A few days later he shared a scholarship from a Caribbean org. He proofread my essay & helped me apply.
And well, I got it. And then I got into the top ranked university in the country. Graduated. Moved to LA. Got a gov job. Got a UN job. Travelled the world. Got my masters.
And well, I got it. And then I got into the top ranked university in the country. Graduated. Moved to LA. Got a gov job. Got a UN job. Travelled the world. Got my masters.
This man wasn’t ever my teacher - in a sea of poverty, violence, and racism, he just kept his eyes out for POC kids, knowing he had tools to help us & that we may trust him and open up to him a little more. And I did. And here I am.
And that’s why #RepresentationMatters.
And that’s why #RepresentationMatters.
He didn't see troublemakers. He saw kids that needed guidance from people that understood them a bit more clearly - saw their lives, their culture, their challenges with a bit more focus.
To all the BIPOC teachers making the world better... I see you.
To all the BIPOC teachers making the world better... I see you.
