Implicit Bias in NJ:
When I first caught wind that, a young scholar-athlete was asked to cut off his hair to compete in a wrestling match; I know the implications. It’s almost 2019, and we have a student of color (SoC) ostracized and told he’s ineligible to compete because of his hairstyle. It is time for a great awakening amongst our people. This incident is another instance of why the Obama administration got it right by providing Civil Rights protection for students of color (SoC).
This act of discrimination is another instance where our emotions can get the best of us. My initial thoughts are everyone needs to be held accountable for this injustice. However, after further analyzing the situation, I want more than accountability. How can we use this racist occurrence to spurn policy change in education?
I want us (people capable of seeing things objectively) to look at this incident objectively (while still being pissed off). This act could be the act that highlights the type of discrimination SoC face daily. We need to focus on change.
Other instances of discrimination Amongst PoC.
Whether its the young lady in Philly not being allowed to play basketball due to wearing her hijab or the young lady in New Orleans being sent home because of her hairstyle, black popular culture is under attack. We must defend our students in all circumstances.
So yes, you have every right to be passionate about the injustice that continues to happen to SoC. The question is, what are you going to do to keep fighting for their rights. We know the current administration does not care about the civil rights of SoC or other disenfranchised groups. It’s up to us.