Jane Elliott is an internationally known educator noted for her Blue Eyed/Brown Eyed Exercise in Discrimination. Until, only until my every day of living doesnt (revert= go back to previous state; to return to a former state, often one perceived as less desirable or inferior) to my remembrance of ***Schiller Elementary School in the Troy Hill district of Pittsburgh Pa.,*** how do I move forward as a person of Color from my 1st experience(between my (1st and 3rd grade years of school). It has been extremely haunting-chilled-to-the-bones for Me leading into 2014. How do I recall so vividly about lining up in 2 lines in a dimly lit hallway at attention before the class room proceeded onward to its destination. Being addressed as a YOU as she poked at my tiny fragile shoulder which was her way of ordering me/us/we of color skin to straighten the line. Removed from this school and my mother was hoping for better just to have the cowboy shit smacked out of my face by a gym teacher, Mrs. Smith at Manchester Elementary School. Bold of my Mother to inform her that only one womans hand will touch this face and that will be hers, my Mother. My mother stood firm on her preach with People, with her children. Her motto was, I will show up where you show out. As God is my witness, she did and would. Mrs. Smith hopefully never raised her hand to another mothers child. My mother reported for duty before reporting to work as a Social Worker and reacted before asking questions. She smacked the cowboy shit out of Mrs. Smiths face in front of the entire gym class! Proud I will forever Be of my Mother. Ironically(Gods truth), I saw Mrs. Smith about 10 yrs ago at a schools yearly outing. I approach this woman because she looked familiar but not sure who she was until she enlighten me that she is the woman I am asking her about. The conversation ceased with awkwardness and I with an erected spine hoped that she watched me as I floated on air. Proud mother I was to be able to show a face to my son after hearing one of many stories regarding hatred, racism, and prejudice practice on Me. If and When change fully comes for Me since it has existed in every school I attended; Columbus Middle School & Oliver High School as well, the memories of blood shed in the streets of Justice when my People took matters into their own hands as I grew as well as every damn day I co-exist with society since birth ...my views ...my stance ...my responses ...my reveals ...my shares ...my(in the words of my sons father) militant actions, behavior, beliefs and trails will be forEver my Truths. More of these exercises should be boldly held in schools... Thank You!
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 00:20:45 +0000