On Inauguration Day: A letter to our Partners and Friends

Dear PowerTools partners and friends, 

Today, as we look toward a new year and a new administration, the PowerTools team finds ourselves grappling with where we are as a nation. We stand hours away from the inauguration of the nation’s first Black, South Asian, female Vice President, Kamala Harris. Harris and Biden’s win was hard fought, particularly by the tireless efforts of Black women such as Stacey Abrams, who have dedicated their careers and livelihood to pushing for equity despite resistance, threats and often lack of recognition. This should be a time of celebration of their courage, of the start of a new day (and year! whew), and the departure of a leader whose lies, laws, and rhetoric have defunded and demeaned our students and their families.

But this win does not stand alone. White supremacy stands aside it, with threats to every state capitol and continued revelations about the domestic terrorism that took place two weeks ago at the nation’s capitol. In these moments, our attention is on our students and the need to support them as they live through and process these unnerving events. We’re committed to standing next to our partner-educators and all adults to reshape the US culture to one of possibility, equity, participation, safety and true representation. Our youth deserve it. As we sort through our own emotions, we’ve landed on the following thoughts and have added resources so that this letter may serve as a tool for you and your schools.

We acknowledge that white supremacy has sunk its claws into the United States from the beginning. Mirrored in the outfits and actions of the thousands who stormed the capitol and those who continue to threaten our democracy, it will not fade away with a transition of power or impeachment of the president. While we may see these white supremacists as “other”, our entire culture has been influenced by systemic racism and it impacts and influences our school systems as well. We’re excited about our work with you, exploring ways to move toward anti-racist education. Here is some food for thought:

While shifting to anti-racist systems will benefit everyone, real change is possible only when white people take a close look at their/our personal relationship with white privilege and racism. Raising self-awareness, shifting focus from intentions to impact, minimizing implicit bias and blindspots, and making a conscious effort to act as co-conspirators is what it’s about. The burden of fighting racism has historically (and currently) unjustly landed on the shoulders of BIPOC communities. Here are some starting points for our white colleagues and partners:

 BIPOC communities have been literally and figuratively hit over the head for centuries with the weapons of the nation’s racist terrorism and this collective trauma is carried through the generations, residing in many of our students. To that end, it’s essential that we work from a healing-centered/trauma informed perspective. We applaud our partner schools that have been trained in trauma informed practice, that focus on SEL, equity and youth voice as a way to help. Some food for thought:

 While we take on the “hard” topics of racism, oppression and white privilege/supremacy with our students, let’s also center the experiences and history of BIPOC community members so they may see themselves reflected and respected beyond stories of struggle. Let’s together build our knowledge and libraries of windows and mirrors to learn best how to support our students (and ourselves), and provide youth with a wide breadth of perspectives, successes, resilience, contribution, and context.

Conspiracy theories, fake news, unsubstantiated “facts” and bold lies have permeated our media and people have responded accordingly. Now’s the time to focus on media literacy skills while analyzing how our nation’s history (from textbooks to school lessons) have often been whitewashed - minimizing the voices, perspectives, and experiences of oppressed peoples.

 We value and honor those who work with youth. You have had the responsibility to be on the front lines to face the pain, rage, questions, etc. of young people while they grapple with their own trauma from recent weeks, the past year and beyond. Thank you for your hard work. We are here to support and walk with you. 

 Warmly, 

Nina and the PowerTools team