Yooooooo,
I know y’all are familiar by now, sooooooooo I won’t even be disrespectful and ask.
This assignment was very heavy for me. My feeling and tone in writing this blog are different from any other time I have taken the time and reflect on a piece. I am in some ways incensed, while saddened in others. There is a hint of pride in the mix as well. Being a PROUD combat war veteran, people often associate me with agreeing with ALL things the government enacts. This could not be further from the truth, as it pertains to very serious and contentious issues such as immigration and its enforcement. I can not in good faith say I agree at all with what is going on in America.
Reading the articles within the rethinking schools publication volume 40 No.2 Tears were shed for positive and negative reasons. Learning in the ways teachers and educators taking a stand and protecting their students across America warmed my soul. Understanding why they had to act in such radical ways to do so breaks my heart. The first responsibility an educator has in my opinion is to protect their students. Second is to educate them ferociously. The teachers in D.C., Chicago and California who were highlighted in the articles I painfully engaged in. Accomplished both of those duties, enduring personal inconvenience and sacrifice. I would like to say thank you. For being what your students need and, while providing an example for the rest of us to follow.
One item the federal funding, policy, and enforcement strategies did not account for, was the outcome when Fear is not a factor. Not a factor in how people band together, not a factor in the actions one and many will take, not a factor in a community. I noticed in the majority of the stories covered in this publication fear was not a factor. As a result, powerful impacts were made and goal achieved. ICE in a large part was deterred from the schools and areas associated with the teachers who stood for their students and communities.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI really felt your post. The way you were honest about your emotions, the anger, the sadness, but also that sense of pride, made it hit differently. It didn’t feel like you were just responding to a reading, it felt personal and real.
I also want to acknowledge what you said about being a veteran and how people assume that means you agree with everything the government does. The way you pushed back on that shows a lot of awareness and strength. As a Black woman reading your perspective as a Black man, that stood out to me, because it shows how we can hold love for our communities and still question systems that harm us.
Your point about educators protecting students being the first responsibility really stayed with me. The way you said they educate “ferociously” too, that was powerful. It made me think about how teaching isn’t just about content, it’s about standing in the gap for students when they need it most.
The part about fear not being a factor was probably the strongest takeaway for me. When fear stops controlling people, that’s when real change starts to happen. The way communities came together and stood firm, even against something as powerful as ICE, shows what collective strength really looks like.
Overall, your post felt like more than a reflection, it felt like a reminder of what it means to stand for people, especially in moments where it would be easier not to. That definitely stuck with me.
Beautiful post, Gamble. Not an easy one and I appreciate your vulnerability and insights.
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