Change Begins with Me
As an educator and father, I have always believed that I did a good job of teaching my own children about our world, the issues we face, and how to treat others. In the wake of tragic murder of George Floyd, the peaceful protests to bring awareness to the racism that still plagues our country, and the looting and destroying of local businesses, I realize I have not done a good job. Not even close. For this I am ashamed and feel I have let my children down. I need to smash the own distorted window that I have been trying to gaze through these last 40 years.
My window was finally shattered on Sunday, May 30, 2020. My wife and I were watching the 5:00 pm news. We sat close on the couch, phone screens locked and focused all of our attention to the scenes being reported. Some were peaceful protests full of chants, signs, and a message that America must come together to bring an end to racism. These scenes were scarce in the big picture. Many of what was being shown were storefront windows being shattered, vehicles pulling up right to the now open space created by a pipe dancing with the glass window, only to be filled with goods and products that were not paid for. We also saw buildings being set on fire, local family owned businesses being destroyed and ransacked. Many of these scenes were not even three miles from where we were sitting.
“Dad, why are they doing that? Why are they breaking into stores and stealing and destroying?” my daughter whispered. I knew that she was not only curious, but overcome with fear.
We’ve always kept our children away from many of the scenes the news plays. We don’t hide them from the truth, but there are many images and stories we feel they can be taught about from us and not how the media displays it for adult eyes.
I looked at, grabbed her hand, and told her, “Babe, there’s just something going on in the world and people are upset. They are letting our government know that changes need to be made.”
This wasn’t the time for me to go into details with my 8 year old daughter on why there was a mix of peaceful protests and looting. Why we needed justice for not only George Floyd, but all of the African Americans being subjected to racism still in 2020 solely because of the color of their skin. For those that lost their lives at the hands of a racist clothed in blue and a badge.
Without hesitation my daughter responded. “Is it because that white police officer kneeled on George Floyd’s neck and killed him? Because George Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and the white police just kept doing it? That’s what people are saying on Tik Tok. I know it’s not right, why would he do that?”
My heart was shattered. My innocent 8 year old daughter knew more about the horrific situation from her social media platforms than I thought. This was her news. These were her questions. And it is time that I follow the mission I lead by.
I knew in that moment that it was time to no longer hide the true realities of our world from my children. They already know what is going on, whether I share the information with them or not. As an educator, as a father, it is my responsibility to inform them, teach them, and empower them.
This all begins with me. I have finally opened my eyes. I have self-reflected on these issues and I must learn, alongside my country, my neighbor, my children, how to be a force, a voice, to bring an end to racism in our country.
It is my responsibility, as a white male, to be honest about my faults, my mistakes, my wrongs not only with those I serve but my children and most importantly, myself.
I truly believe in my heart that my children, your children, OUR children, are the catalyst that will bring about true change in our world. There is no way this is going to happen if we are not honest with them about the racism that still infects so much of our country. It is our duty to learn ourselves first and then teach them so they are that force empowered and determined to change this world.
That is never going to happen if we don’t begin with ourselves.
