"Somewhere
along the way we must see that time will never solve the problem alone
but that we must help time. Somewhere we must see that human progress
never rolls in on the wheels on inevitability. It comes through the
tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated
individuals...Without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of
the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and
social stagnation. We must always help time and realize that the time
is always right to do right." - Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.
This quote comes from Dr. King's speech at Western Michigan University in December of 1963. I think this quote works well with an article
from Dr. Howard Zinn. As educators with a interest in social justice,
we can not be pessimistic and give up or think that time will
automatically bring change. I encourage you to keep in mind both Zinn
and King as we explore Diversity in Higher Education together. How will
you maintain energetic optimism in the face of the challenges in
educational equity?
What helps me approach issues of diversity regarding access to education, access to resources, etc. is knowing that I am not alone in my views and my action. This gives me the optimism that challenges can be overcome even in the most deeply rooted structures of society that affect educational equity. I think I will also be able to maintain spirit for these challenges by reading about these issues and considering them in practice. Knowing that issues around educational equity are being discussed and talked about reminds me that the issue isn't being pushed under the rug.
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ReplyDeleteThis entry makes me reflect on how we tend to use phrases as “time will tell”, “in due time”, “el tiempo cura todas las heridas” in hope that everything will be better. I want to write about how I will maintain energetic optimism but I must be sincere in realizing that there will be many times in which I will not be able to do so. This, however, may not necessarily be a negative thing. Let me explain this contradiction:
ReplyDeleteDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said many great things among his speeches. But it was during the Q&A section of the speech in reference that he made me think of leveling up Negros in the workplace as parallel to minorities in higher education. To paraphrase MLK, he spoke that if a person is behind in a race, he will always stay that way or he will necessarily need to run faster than the first. The Negro wouldn’t only need to be equipped with the means for catching up, but in so doing, he would have to invest much more effort than those who are in a more privileged position than he is.
Similarly, this is the case with minorities in higher education. We lack the instruments, knowledge, access, information so we get behind, we miss application deadlines, do not study for the SATs, become frustrated, find a job with quick money that several years in college cannot immediately provide. When – and if – we catch up, we have to work twice as hard to get half as far because structures of power prevent us from advancing and showing our great potential, because we are not taken seriously or because we are treated as the quota for achieving the diversity rate.
Inevitably, these challenges will bring down even the most energetic. But I want to believe there is a chance and that a difference can be made. I want to believe that education is the basis for marvelous outcomes in the individual and the society they live in. I want to maintain energetic optimism by believing Zinn when he says “revolutionary change does not come as one cataclysmic moment but as an endless succession of surprises…we don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. What will boost my energy and optimism when I become frustrated will be the fact that I can be part of change for at least one minority so she/he can work just as much as any other, and get just as much, or more recognition for their contributions! Time will tell!
Lisa, I love your post. Thank you
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