By Gabe Twedt, JCE Collaborative Teacher Part five in a series on inclusive language and representation in the classroom. Click here to read the first in the series, "My Life as Gaybe." Click here to read the second in the series, "Not the LGBT Lorax." Click here to read the third in the series, "Being Intentionally Inclusive." Click here to read the fourth in the series, "Mark McGwire and The Importance of Challenging Stereotypes.” If you’re anything like me, you have been feeling a bit lost recently. It is difficult to make sense of everything that is happening in our current situation. In many ways, it feels like the only thing we can do is focus on ourselves and the few people around us.
Fortunately, as educators, we are in a unique position to advocate for those individuals that have historically been marginalized. When considering the work that we do, the content we create, and the instructional choices we make, I would challenge you to think about those people that are not like you. Traditionally speaking, I am quite privileged. I am white, middle class, and a cisgender man. As Dolly Chugh from the Harvard Business Review puts it, “each of us have some part of our identity which requires little attention to protecting oneself from danger, discrimination, or doltish humor.” Most of my identity allows for a sense of privilege because I blend in with most of the people in my community. For most of my life, I didn’t truly understand how fortunate I was. To be honest, I still don’t know if I understand how privileged I am. I have endured some hardships but I have not walked a mile in the shoes of any other person. So, I have taken it upon myself to try to be an advocate for others while also not speaking for the communities I am not personally a part of. That is a difficult, but a very important balance to strike. Recently in my teaching career, one of my first graders announced to the class that they “do not like black people.” I was stunned by the admission and felt paralyzed by my lack of preparedness for such a comment. I tried to diffuse the situation and get to the bottom of the remark, but I still felt lost with how to make a difference moving forward. Over the past couple of years, I have taken some steps to hopefully use my privilege to advocate for others. Idea 3: Be authentic and use your privilege. (Ideas 1 & 2 were shared in the last two blog posts listed at the top of this post.) Reasoning: As a member of the queer community, I know how amazing it feels to watch straight and cisgender allies support me and those like me. Many reports exist that support the concept that people in a place of privilege are better able to persuade and change the mind of others when it comes to bias. For example, a straight person confronting another straight person about the importance of gay rights can work better than a gay person confronting a straight person on the same topic. It is a flawed and confusing way of thinking, but ultimately important to understand. We have an opportunity to help others by using the parts of ourselves that we typically don’t give much thought to. It may be difficult to digest but our society is set up to support those that identify as straight, white, middle class, Christian, and/or male. In Decorah, a large percentage of our population falls under most, if not all, of those categories. We need to open our students' hearts, as well as their minds to those that may appear different. What can I try:
It can be quite intimidating to put yourself out there in order to make a change, but that change is necessary for everyone to succeed and be seen. We need to look out for each other. Be helpful, stay healthy, and chase happy.
6 Comments
Beth Wahlberg
4/9/2020 07:15:40 am
Thank you, Gabe, for continuing to share your thoughts on these topics and for being an advocate for change in our schools. Your 1st graders are so lucky to have you in their lives! Working with middle schoolers, I particularly appreciate your comment about "being yourself." So many of our middle school students are working so hard at trying to figure out who they are, yours is a good reminder that it might help them to know adults who are living authentically and who are even willing to be a little weird sometimes!
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Michael Himlie
4/9/2020 11:05:18 am
Thank you, Gabe, for this post. & thank you for having the energy to not just be complacent in the classroom. I have found it so important to challenge stereotypes & use inclusive language. As one who is not a teacher by profession, I am astonished at the energy teachers have & all they take on. When I speak in schools in my usual work, I challenge the students to diversify their minds & hearts. I never ask anything of US teachers as they, you, are s, so busy. But challenging oppressive behavior and comments or intentionally teaching in light of all peoples is so, so influential in the classroom. & seeing intersectionality at work within staff relationships and students makes me feel empowered in our work for liberation. Thank you Gabe for leading DCSD in such paths as these, & everyone for taking the extra time & effort to create safe learning & work spaces in the district & creating a more inclusive future.
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Lizabeth Fox
4/13/2020 07:38:20 am
Very well written and thought-provoking. Thanks, Gabe! You are making a difference with your words.
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Mary Winger
5/5/2020 10:07:46 am
We all need to look out for each other, open our minds and hearts, and respect the unique qualities that shape every individual. Thank you for the great insights Gabe. Well done!
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Nicolle Korsness
5/6/2020 10:45:59 am
Wow, thank you for sharing. I went back to your first blog when you told your story and I admire you so much for your courage. You have and will continue to help those who have been and will go through the same thing. Thank you for your wisdom and I will defiantly take your words and use them in the classroom.
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Shanna
5/17/2020 05:15:50 pm
Thank you Gabe, I very much appreciate the knowledge and passion you share as well as ideas that we can all implement as we work to do better for ourselves, our students, our families and our community. Something that I am very happy to see in our community is the steps that our Public Library is taking to introduce young children to more diverse authors and topics and to celebrate diversity.
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