“Let
my people go!”
I am currently enrolled in a course entitled Schools
and Inequalities. My focus changed from my work with adults as a teacher
leader to focusing instead on me as a teacher in my own classroom. Quality
education is about learning and growing as a professional and a member of our
community. We must function as culturally responsive educators with the knowledge,
skills, and outlooks of leaders both within our schools and the larger
educational district.
The question for teachers is: What are
we doing to change the system for students? I believe that everyone can change
their way of thinking to make themselves better. But, there is a fine line
about the desire to change to be better and the desire to change to make
better. In part of our American history, the laws did try and influence the way people think. Anything
can be twisted and turned into a certain belief or way of thinking. We must see
all people as people and not objects of our day. Of course, this part of
history affected literacy.
According to some theories, if a
child toughens things out, he will succeed. That is not always true. Hardship
does not promise success. I believe in long-term goals being set. This skill needs
to be taught to all students living in the present. Teaching personal goal
setting can be hard but not impossible. We can help to understand the mindset
of people through empathy. We cannot change a way of thinking completely
or a culture of people. However, we can have understanding.
Having lived in Russia as a
missionary, I learned that the Baptist were treated similarly during the days
of persecution. The Baptist were considered a cult and people against the
Orthodox Church. Therefore, for the 70 years of Communism, Baptist were not allowed
to “worship” or study in a university. If you were Baptist, you were not
privileged. Thus, it took several years after communism for the people of the
Baptist faith to gain any form of wealth and prominence. They were then and
only then allowed to get an education. I guess all countries have their sad
histories. Thankfully, today everyone can learn and achieve. It is now up to us
to make a difference and not let resistance get in the way. We need to be
responsive to all. Others know how one truly feels. It shows.
When I hear the old Negro Spirituals
sung, it just reminds me of how I was once lost, and then freed to a life full
in Christ. “Tell Ole Pharaoh, Let My People Go” (Go Down, Moses) has
spiritual, yet historical meaning for me. This song carried a “secret” message.
When I hear the songs sung, I place myself into that situation as best I can to
empathize. I know that unless you have lived through something, though, it is
hard to fully understand. But, I try. I love and sympathize with all people. It
is like some school principals have expressed that we must teach the children
love. But, love, is not the only thing we give them. We must provide
understanding and hope for the future. We need to change our system to provide
what students need, and we need to teach students that they can make a
difference. It takes both understanding and adaptation. Best of both worlds.
Empower them to be leaders of tomorrow. Let my students go!
