BEING WHO WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BECOME

The saga of Mr. Gates, a Harvard professor raises many questions for students. Perhaps some have had their own experiences with police officers. Perhaps others have not had any experience or relationship to racial profiling in general. Many students have known as much about profiling related to Middle Eastern individuals since 9-11. In any case, what do students know about their local police departments and what efforts/training is there for police officers related to these types of concerns? If nothing else, the incident draws attention to one of the most important voices of our times in any conversation about our country’s history. Understanding the realities that Professor Gates has helped families to face as they research their own lost stories is something one must have a heart of profound sensitivity to manage. His PBS series “African American Lives” is a must for all our students, regardless of ethnicity. The irony of the events in the past weeks is that he is a figure doing more for reconciliation in our country than anyone I can name at this time. His piece on Lincoln is also a must for students. Please have students regularly visit and read his work and be sure to have them research and understand its significance thoroughly. Here is Rob’s portrait of Sojourner Truth. I once had a third grade student burst into tears when she saw it, after hearing her biography from me. When I spoke with her, all she said through her tears was that she could not believe that her children had been taken away from her.  A boy of the same age told me, that as a white male, he felt very guilty about that. He told his young classmate friend that he was sorry. ( She was African American.) She replied, that “it was ok, she said. I know you would not have done it if you were there.” What a clean moment between them. I felt priveleged to be there. I have a feeling both Professor Gates and Sojourner would have smiled at the exchange, so honest. Without the truth about such things, those moments do not happen .Visit this website to see what Professor Gates publishes:http://www.theroot.com/views/conversations-henry-louis-gates-jr  Here’s Sojourner Truth’s portrait.  Fans of Muhammad Ali might want to know that he credits her with the name change he decided upon himself as a rejection of his slave heritage. This all works perfectly when discussing Professor Gate’s work. Another portrait to consider is Fannie Lou Hamer , who was beaten brutally by police. Here’s her portrait.