Why I'm Blogging

I started blogging yesterday. It's been on my to do list for a long time. Then yesterday, I just jumped right in and didn't do an intro to why I am blogging. 

My first post was about the George Zimmerman not guilty verdict. I  attended the Free Minds Free People Conference that was held in Chicago this weekend. I really enjoyed it. Great workshops and plenaries. Met lots of cools educators, activists and organizers.The best moment though was a one-on-one conversation I had with a woman named Jo Ann Mundy, an anti-bias/anti-racist educator. She does professional development and training for schools and organizations. Our conversation was about institutional and unconscious racism.

We talked about what it looks like in schools among and between staffs and students. I particularly liked the part of the discussion about roles we play in trying to tackle racism. Jo Ann talked about how as a black woman she will often be seen as the "crazy" or "complainer" if she speaks up at a place where racism is institutionalized or unconscious. We talked about how as a white male, if I speak about it, I more than likely won't be seen in that same way. People might actually ask if there is an issue for real.

So after this conversation, I said that I was going to make sure I am that person that addresses race issues at work and other places in my life. I am going to use my standing as a tool to start these conversations and hopefully get some honest and healthy dialogue about race. I want to step up and be a leader in this dialogue.

Saturday night rolls around and I get a news alert that George Zimmerman has been found not guilty. I always knew it could happen but I was still shocked. I went on Facebook to see what was being posted. Two friends have comments that I couldn't believe. One from a male friend was, "Not Guilty. Yes!" The other comment from a woman, "Zimmerman found not guilty. He never should have been tried for just defending himself anyway." My reaction? I curse them out and un-friend them. So much for being a leader and a vehicle for change.

I was mad all night about the verdict and about those two responses. Mad because two people I know chose to celebrate a not guilty verdict over recognizing injustice done to a child. It bugs me too because both of them are public service workers (not teachers though) in Chicago. Bugged me that I ever called them friends. But did I try to have that conversation with them? No. Like I said I cursed them out and un-friended them. Yea Jim. That's going to change their thinking.

Sunday morning I was reflecting on what happened the night before. I decided I knew what I wanted to do and that I wanted to say it out loud. So I started my blog. Again, something that I have wanted to do for awhile but never got around to. Thanks for all the views and positive responses. I hope to post something everyday so please look out for it.