What Are Black Students Really Missing During the Pandemic?

It's been close to two years since many Black students across the Nation have been without face to face learning. Many have returned to schools only for them to have been closed off and on throughout the first three months this year. 

As an educator, I'm still torn. 

It's a thin line in protecting Black lives in public schools from the virus AND also protecting Black students from an oppressive system that's already poorly educating them pre covid-19. 

My heart breaks, especially for Black teachers and parents. 

Both in positions of having to make impossible, heart wrenching decisions in such a difficult and "stranger" times.

Black parents are focused on staying alive, keeping a roof over their family's head and ensuring that their children, parents and village are protected. 

Black teachers are facing the same challenges while lifting our voices to dismantle a system failing Black children in alarming rates much like police brutality and the coronavirus are killing Black Americans. 

We are returning to overcrowded classrooms and schools that not only place us in harms ways but make it virtually impossible to social distance. 

So I ask, what are Black students really missing during the pandemic?

They are missing the opportunity for the adults in this Nation to reimagine education, not reform but dismantle systems that intentionally oppress, suppress and block the progress of Black Americans. 

Black students need to be engaged in schools that teach them about how to be globally competitive and marketable, productive and engaged citizens. 

But white's privileges', big businesses and political influencers are too busy rushing us into traditional, current systems of oppression that we aren't available to see the power moves at play. 

Moves that are strategically displacing Black children in public schools into deeper academic deficiencies ultimately widening the economic and educational gaps in America.