Fear. Trauma. Anger. Sadness.
As we’ve turned on the news over the past several days, we’ve seen all of these emotions exploding onto streets across the nation. And we’ve talked about what’s happening in our living rooms, our kitchens, and maybe even with our students.
So many of our friends and neighbors are hurting, and it is only natural for all of us to ask the questions: Why? What can I do? What should I do?
All of us became educators for different reasons. But, for me, I think we all joined this noble profession because we wanted to change the world. And I believe that we do that – every, single day.
This is who we are. We are noble and purposeful.
This is what we do. We educate today’s children to become tomorrow’s leaders.
And this is how we do it. We value students’ diversity. We embrace justice. We speak up when others don’t. And we model behavior that we want everyone we come in contact with to emulate.
There is no doubt that this is a sad and scary time.
The undercurrents of racial injustice and outrage that we’re seeing suggest that our nation is perilously divided.
But we aren’t.
You see, as PSEA’s president, I remind all of you that, as part of this union, you are all significant, valued, supported, and respected.
This is, after all, what unions do. We raise our voices when they must be raised. We speak out for fairness and equity.
As educators, we may not feel like we spend our days as advocates for social justice. But we do.
Every time we lock eyes with a student who needs our help, we advocate for justice. Every time we share a quiet word after class with a child who is hurting, we advocate for justice. Every time we silence an angry word in the hallways, we advocate for justice.
For us, there is no place for hatred and violence. There is no place for any type of discrimination and prejudice. Of course, in the world as we know it today, there is far too much of all of these things. But that doesn’t have to be the world we know tomorrow. Because we can change it.
We aspire to create a world that is as just and equitable as we endeavor to be.
So, today, as we ask ourselves - Why? What can I do? What should I do? – we can start by listening. As educators, we know this is the key to learning. I know I have more to learn, and I know that there is more work to do as we strive for that more equitable and just society.
We can also serve as models of behavior and as a resource for our students as they seek to make sense of what is happening in their communities. We can model the purpose and the justice we strive for as educators and members of a union.
I am confident that we can be a catalyst for understanding and progress, because, whether you admit it or not, you are the heroes who change the world.
Together, we can change it. And we will.
Rich Askey
PSEA President
When Nina Ahmad was just 11 years old, she found herself at the center of a brutal, violent war for independence.