{"id":3355,"date":"2022-02-16T21:47:23","date_gmt":"2022-02-16T21:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/?p=3355"},"modified":"2022-09-27T23:34:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T23:34:31","slug":"getting-real-about-topics-that-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/getting-real-about-topics-that-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Real About Topics That Matter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first  inner-heading-area  container_wrap fullsize' style='background-color: #222222;background-image: linear-gradient(to right,#222222,#00aeef); '  ><div class='container' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3355'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ketvxyew-5f3f65f4d9be3556acd09044d4fccdbc\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-5f3f65f4d9be3556acd09044d4fccdbc .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-5f3f65f4d9be3556acd09044d4fccdbc .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-5f3f65f4d9be3556acd09044d4fccdbc .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:18px;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketvxyew-5f3f65f4d9be3556acd09044d4fccdbc '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-landing-text av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2><strong>Getting Real About Topics That Matter<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_2'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3355'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-elcauo-a5b7f20a6a9c120c3ad6659f52011003\">\n.flex_column.av-elcauo-a5b7f20a6a9c120c3ad6659f52011003{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-elcauo-a5b7f20a6a9c120c3ad6659f52011003 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-3  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-khuoo1cl-a9d91483c925d853e58046cad408d1c1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong><em>Observations from<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>Tammie Workman, Educator in Chief for\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/connectwithkids.com\/\"><em>Connect with Kids Network<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0and Producer on the documentary\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/the-documentary-series\/\"><em>Defining US<\/em><em> Children at the Crossroads of Change<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThere must exist a paradigm, a practical model for social change that includes an understanding of ways to transform consciousness that are linked to efforts to transform structures.\u201d<\/em> \u2015 bell hooks<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about <a href=\"https:\/\/torontoblackfilm.com\/movie\/defining-us\/\">our film<\/a> making its way into Canadian release through the <a href=\"https:\/\/torontoblackfilm.com\/\">Toronto Black Film Festival<\/a> this week into next. It\u2019s a timely piece and one I feel that is positioned to be a thoughtful counternarrative to the debate and legislation making the rounds on restricting discussions of foundational identity markers and historical truths in schools \u2013 race (which is the focus of our flagship film), but also much broader markers such as gender, culture, and sexual identity.\u00a0 Not to mention the debate on whose historical truths get told and whose do not.\u00a0 And ultimately, who gets to decide. \u00a0As an educator, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a citizen, and simply as a human being, I am more than a bit alarmed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-d645yo-e826c60a63f5eec1a86b2e0c921700c8\">\n.flex_column.av-d645yo-e826c60a63f5eec1a86b2e0c921700c8{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-d645yo-e826c60a63f5eec1a86b2e0c921700c8 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_hr-3b2307b683e43c7f5a7eb383cfb8815f\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-av_hr-3b2307b683e43c7f5a7eb383cfb8815f{\nheight:80px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-3b2307b683e43c7f5a7eb383cfb8815f hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-6  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kpeafa7a-be8bc7606fcb9489046d15dcae7f1610\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kpeafa7a-be8bc7606fcb9489046d15dcae7f1610 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kpeafa7a-be8bc7606fcb9489046d15dcae7f1610 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kpeafa7a-be8bc7606fcb9489046d15dcae7f1610 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3357 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3357 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-1030x687.jpeg\" alt='' title='Text sign showing Reality Check Ahead. Conceptual photo makes them recognize truth about situations or difficulties Five different races persons sharing blank speech bubble. People talking.'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-scaled-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_271161361-1-705x470.jpeg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_3'  class='avia-section alternate_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3355'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-a6ra5s-02d8fad3c182de1cbe2c5d3cacf885d4\">\n.flex_column.av-a6ra5s-02d8fad3c182de1cbe2c5d3cacf885d4{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column 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src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-725x1030.jpg\" alt='' title='defining us poster final'  height=\"1030\" width=\"725\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-725x1030.jpg 725w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-600x853.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-211x300.jpg 211w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-768x1092.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-1081x1536.jpg 1081w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-1441x2048.jpg 1441w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-1055x1500.jpg 1055w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final-496x705.jpg 496w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/defining-us-poster-final.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-zgevk-c9cbd23d4a8d10a6790613ba1ae00f6e\">\n.flex_column.av-zgevk-c9cbd23d4a8d10a6790613ba1ae00f6e{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-zgevk-c9cbd23d4a8d10a6790613ba1ae00f6e av_two_third  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-khuoo1cl-b50a819613ba6e5408185373a9f01868\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-khuoo1cl-b50a819613ba6e5408185373a9f01868 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-khuoo1cl-b50a819613ba6e5408185373a9f01868 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>If you have been on the fence about these issues playing out in state houses, local school boardrooms and the ever-running news cycle (a general recap of what is happening <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/education\/2022\/02\/14\/critical-race-theory-teachers-fear-laws\/\">here<\/a>), our film <a href=\"https:\/\/torontoblackfilm.com\/movie\/defining-us\/\"><em>Defining US Children at the Crossroads of Change<\/em><\/a> is one I hope you watch for a realistic perspective and deeper understanding of what leading educators and students are saying is needed and importantly, what is happening in many of our schools to affirm the students they serve &#8211; beyond the negative outliers we hear about in our news feed! Decisions are being made in real time on what can be acknowledged, addressed, or taught in schools and there is simply no better time to be a more informed citizen on this debate.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='hr av-kzq26hrh-fbd93bc7f0b017b13005b42ccb026082 hr-short  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last  hr-center'><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_4'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3355'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-76dymo-672c3604363959fe3c758f9d345b1f5b\">\n.flex_column.av-76dymo-672c3604363959fe3c758f9d345b1f5b{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-76dymo-672c3604363959fe3c758f9d345b1f5b av_two_third  avia-builder-el-15  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-khuoo1cl-a9d91483c925d853e58046cad408d1c1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>I believe in building bridges of understanding (often referred to at <a href=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/\">Defining US<\/a> as the building of hearts and minds). I also believe that when we know better, we have a much better chance of being <em>and doing<\/em> better.\u00a0 That said, though healthy debate is always welcome, I believe we must also acknowledge that race is a foundational part of our identity in America and educators cannot be color-blind when the world our students exist in is not. Race is front and center in their outcomes, opportunities, and acceptance of their whole selves. Nor can we expect longstanding systemic issues related to race and racism to disappear by choosing to<em> not<\/em> discuss the issues. And I believe so holds true for other markers that make us our fully human selves<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-5jpwog-4e6d6b4bcfb4d7deb864622a3719b149\">\n.flex_column.av-5jpwog-4e6d6b4bcfb4d7deb864622a3719b149{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-5jpwog-4e6d6b4bcfb4d7deb864622a3719b149 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kzq348f0-34dfeed51f13d3979fc5d46e460a10bd\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-kzq348f0-34dfeed51f13d3979fc5d46e460a10bd{\nheight:10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-kzq348f0-34dfeed51f13d3979fc5d46e460a10bd hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-18  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span 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https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_208264684-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_208264684-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_208264684-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_208264684-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_208264684-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_208264684-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_208264684-705x470.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1xhrj4-52fcd73ee93212c881d3ffe28e07158b\">\n.flex_column.av-1xhrj4-52fcd73ee93212c881d3ffe28e07158b{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-1xhrj4-52fcd73ee93212c881d3ffe28e07158b av_two_third  avia-builder-el-25  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-khuoo1cl-a9d91483c925d853e58046cad408d1c1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The educators represented in the film each have their own approaches to the work of supporting students.\u00a0 They are not advocating for a cookie-cutter approach to what is said or implemented in schools.\u00a0 Neither am I. \u00a0But there is a common thread of need &#8211; we have historically left behind our Black and Brown children and now is the time to rectify the problem. See them for who they are, the gifts they bring, the possibilities they hold, and help them get through.\u00a0 Regardless of family circumstances, poverty, race, or where they happen to live.<\/p>\n<p>Black and Brown children are now the majority of students in K-12 American schools.\u00a0 That is a fact we cannot deny.\u00a0 So, the question becomes, how do we do better for these students?\u00a0 We start by acknowledging and affirming their full selves.\u00a0 We put supports in place to ensure that a student\u2019s personal or home circumstances don\u2019t impede progress to being their best selves once they leave behind the schoolhouse doors.\u00a0 We ensure that every person\u2019s history is part of the true American history, taught with skill, knowledge, self-awareness, and in age-appropriate ways.\u00a0 And we give the adults who work with students the appropriate training and reflection time needed so they can build within to best teach the students in front of them.<\/p>\n<p>I believe in bridge building to better understanding, and I also believe in embracing change when it is needed.\u00a0 Please take 90 minutes of your day to watch the film while the festival is open or reach out to us for other <a href=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/take-action\/\">screening opportunities<\/a>. We have such an opportunity to build a bridge over the divide that faces us all.\u00a0 I hope you join us in this work!<\/p>\n<p>#BuildingBridges #LetsReasonTogether #PowerofMedia4Good #PowerofEducation4Good<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Observations from Tammie Workman, Educator in Chief for Connect with Kids Network and Producer on the documentary Defining US Children at the Crossroads of Change<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":5073,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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