Podcast Summary
Dr. David Johns' Passion for Educational Equity: Dr. David Johns, inspired by his mother's advocacy, became a leading voice in education, advocating for policies that ensure all children have access to quality education beyond academics.
Passion and advocacy are key drivers in the field of education. Dr. David Johns, a returning guest on the Small Doses podcast, shares his personal journey and the importance of ensuring all children have access to quality education, not just in theory but in practice. Growing up, he witnessed his mother's relentless efforts to secure opportunities for him, inspiring him to become an advocate for educational equity. Starting as a senior policy adviser on Capitol Hill, he brought a unique perspective to the table, advocating for policies that directly impacted students in need. Dr. Johns emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique experiences and challenges faced by students from diverse backgrounds and ensuring a holistic approach to education that goes beyond academics. His dedication to this cause has led him to become a doctor and a leading voice in the education space.
Family support and mentors overcame academic barriers: Mother's advocacy led to academic success, but witnessing privilege at Columbia sparked focus on education and advocacy for students of color
Advocacy and support from family and mentors played a crucial role in the speaker's academic journey, particularly when facing barriers due to systemic policies. The speaker's mother fought for her access to advanced classes and found tutors to ensure her success, inspiring the speaker to become an advocate herself. At Columbia University, the speaker discovered a community of like-minded individuals and gained valuable skills through research. However, she also witnessed the convergence of ignorance and privilege, leading her to question the effectiveness of law as a radical vehicle for change and instead, she focused on education and advocacy through founding an organization to serve students of color.
Implicit invitation to pursue education: Underrepresented communities often lack access to quality education and the encouragement to pursue it. Teachers play a crucial role in inspiring students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
The value and importance of education, particularly teaching, is often overlooked, especially for underrepresented communities. The speaker, a black man who went on to teach after graduating from Columbia University, shares how he received an implicit invitation from a black male teacher in his childhood to pursue education. He also highlights the lack of attention given to the functioning of public education systems and the division between private and public schools. Despite facing skepticism, the speaker found joy and surprise in teaching, sharing an anecdote about a kindergarten student, Eve, who surprised her teachers with her fluency in multiple languages. This experience underscores the importance of valuing and engaging with students beyond their perceived abilities.
Early conversations among children about complex topics influenced by adults' expectations: Recognize children's complexity and respect their voices. Challenge adult biases to create inclusive learning environments.
From a very early age, children, including black boys and girls, have deep conversations about complex topics like death and identity. These conversations can be respectful and thought-provoking, but are often influenced by the expectations and biases of the adults around them. The speaker shared her experience of being the only black male classroom teacher in an elementary school building, and the challenges she faced due to white women's expectations and assumptions about black boys. She also highlighted the importance of recognizing the diversity and complexity of black families and communities, and the need to challenge stereotypes and biases in education. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing children's voices and experiences, and the need for adults to challenge their own biases and assumptions in order to create inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Sorting and selecting students into job classifications: The education system, designed during the industrial revolution, perpetuates disparities based on race, gender, and ability, with black boys and girls being disproportionately affected.
The education system in the United States, designed during the industrial revolution, was established to sort and select students into predetermined job classifications. This design has led to disparities based on social constructs like race, gender, and ability. For instance, while black boys were being suspended or expelled at three times the rate of white boys, the suspension rate for black girls was six times higher. This highlights the need for intersectionality to be applied as a lens in education. The consequences of adults' expectations based on these social constructs significantly impact students' experiences in schools. The education landscape today still reflects this design, with systems working as they were intended. It's essential to recognize and address the systemic issues that perpetuate these disparities.
Misconceptions about charter schools: Charter schools are public schools that offer more flexibility but should prioritize better student outcomes, not undermine public education or democracy.
The push to "put schools back into the parents' hands" or "states' hands" through charter schools can be misleading. While charter schools are public schools that receive some freedoms and funding, the focus should be on ensuring these schools provide better outcomes for students, not just more flexibility. Unfortunately, some individuals have used charter schools as a means to undermine public education and democracy, as seen with Betsy DeVos' efforts to privatize education and profit from charter schools at the expense of students and communities. It's crucial to remember that charter schools are public schools and should be held accountable for delivering quality education.
Parents' rights and sexual education: Recognize the complexity of parents' rights in sexual education and strive for inclusivity, compassion, and understanding.
While there is progress being made in recognizing and celebrating diverse sexual identities and expressions in schools, there are still issues of power dynamics and access that need to be addressed. The conversation around parents' rights is a complex one, and while parents do have the right to opt their children out of certain curriculums or activities, it's important to recognize that this issue is not new and that there have been efforts to codify certain rights under the guise of parents' rights that are already protected by the Supreme Court. Additionally, the idea of "coming out" as a singular experience can be limiting, as we all navigate revealing different aspects of ourselves to others every day. It's important to approach these conversations with a focus on inclusivity, compassion, and understanding, and to recognize that everyone deserves the right to invite others into their reality and identity.
Challenges for LGBTQIA+ students in schools: Parents can create safe spaces for their LGBTQIA+ children in schools by staying informed, building networks, engaging in dialogue, and practicing critical thinking.
Children identifying as LGBTQIA+ in public schools face significant challenges and lack adequate protections. This issue is compounded by the existence of laws and societal norms that undermine their existence. Critical thinking is essential to understand the complexities of these issues and to challenge the undermining of LGBTQIA+ identities. For parents with children who identify as LGBTQIA+, creating safe spaces in schools can be a challenge. They can advocate for their children by staying informed, building supportive networks, and engaging in dialogue with educators and school administrators. Silence and reflection are also important tools for effective communication and understanding. By embracing critical thinking and advocating for their children, parents can help create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.
Embracing the broader definition of 'queer': Encourage freedom of expression, challenge societal norms, and embrace complexities of human identity, including gender fluidity and transgender individuals.
The term "queer" goes beyond its modern definition as a sexual identity label and originally means anything that is not dominant or in a position of power. The speaker encourages embracing this broader definition and challenging societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding gender and sexuality. They emphasize the importance of allowing children to express themselves freely and not limiting them with binary labels or expectations. The speaker also highlights the need to acknowledge and understand the complexities of human identity, including the fluidity of gender and the existence of transgender individuals. Overall, the conversation encourages a more inclusive and accepting perspective towards human diversity.
Examining the impact of gendered language on identity: Teach children to question societal norms and challenge gendered language to foster curiosity, love for learning, and respect for individual autonomy and self-expression.
Language and the labels we use carry significant weight and implications, particularly when it comes to gender identity. Amanda's discussion highlights the importance of critically examining the ways in which we use gendered language and the impact it has on individuals. She encourages parents to teach their children to question and challenge societal norms and expectations, particularly around gender. The use of titles like "miss," "missus," and "mrs." is an example of how language is linked to marital status and reinforces traditional gender roles. By teaching children to think critically, we can help them understand the complexities of identity and the importance of respecting individual autonomy and self-expression. As Bell Hooks reminds us, teaching is an essential part of intellectual growth, and it starts with fostering a curiosity and love for learning in our children.
Encouraging children's curiosity and critical thinking: Encourage open dialogue, expose to diverse friends and resources, and celebrate all aspects of identity to foster children's natural curiosity, critical thinking, and resilience.
Fostering children's natural curiosity and critical thinking skills, especially when encountering differences, is essential for their growth and understanding of the world. Instead of shutting down uncomfortable questions, adults should encourage open dialogue and modeling healthy mental wellness. Exposure to diverse friends and resources, such as media and literature, is crucial for broadening perspectives. Lastly, embracing and celebrating all aspects of blackness in an inclusive and intersectional way is a protective factor for children. By doing so, we can help them develop a strong sense of identity and resilience.
The criminalization of identity and self-expression for Black queer individuals: Recognizing the impact of restrictive legislation and attacks on Black communities' freedom to express themselves authentically is crucial for promoting well-being and democracy. Historical contributions of Black communities in creating safe spaces should be acknowledged, and everyone has a role in defending marginalized communities.
The criminalization of certain conversations and communities around identity and self-expression, particularly in communities of color and for Black queer individuals, is a significant issue that impacts the well-being and freedom of individuals. These restrictions on expression and identity are often linked to larger issues of systemic oppression and white supremacy. Dr. David Johns emphasized the importance of recognizing the impact of such legislation and attacks on Black babies and the importance of allowing people to express themselves authentically. He also highlighted the historical contributions of Black communities in creating spaces and culture, as discussed in books like "Black City Makers" by Marcus Anthony Hunter. Additionally, Dr. Johns noted the importance of recognizing that individuals may engage in queer behaviors or relationships without identifying as queer, and that everyone has a role to play in defending democracy and advocating for marginalized communities.
Defending democracy and advocating for rights: Recognize interconnectedness of equality fights, find our voices, stay informed, engage, and defend democracy together
The fight for equality and justice is interconnected, and we all have a role to play in defending democracy and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. As Fannie Lou Hamer famously said, "Nobody's free until everybody's free." This means recognizing that white supremacy affects everyone, regardless of race, gender, or ability. It also means finding our voices and speaking out against injustices, rather than staying silent and risking being consumed by them. As we approach the midterm elections, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged, and to remember that our collective freedom is at stake. Additionally, platforms like TN Holler that "yell the truth" serve as important reminders of the power of speaking out and standing up for what's right. So let us all continue to find our voices, rally, and defend democracy together.
