Please visit Voices of Color Commentary regularly for updates, reflections, and new commentary by Voices of Color founder and Executive Director, Cheryl S. Greene, Ed.D.
October 2009
Voices of Color Commentary, Vol. 2.
Title: Hope in the Obama Generation
A new school year has begun and I am filled with hope and excitement for the year ahead. Even though my school, like so many others across the nation, has endured massive budget cuts, I can't help but feel encouraged as I look at the bright faces of my young students. Their curiosity, innocence, and inner wisdom instantly lift my spirits. They are the promise for a better tomorrow, the next generation who will lead us in an ever changing global society.
Each year, my elementary school, located in a predominately white Phoenix neighborhood, becomes more and more culturally, linguistically, and racially diverse. I wholeheartedly embrace this diversity! Our students reflect the continuously changing demographics of our district and society. As future leaders, our students need to have the skills, knowledge and experience required to successfully navigate in a pluralistic society. As I reflect on this notion, I am reminded of an article, "The Obama Effect," written by Bonnie Davis immediately after the inauguration. In her article, Bonnie states, "We have not yet achieved a post-racial society as some are saying, but I believe this election has opened the door to the possibility." As I think about Bonnie's words, I can't help but wonder, "What would a post-racial society look like? What doors will be open for all of my students?"
As I continue walking through classrooms, my mind is whirling as I explore the limitless possibilities the "Obama Effect" will have on my students and my own biracial teenagers. As I'm pondering their future, I am filled with hope and optimism. I am confident that the "Obama generation" will courageously and skillfully address the challenges they will undoubtedly inherit. I believe in their potential because each and every day they demonstrate extraordinary wisdom, creativity, and character, well beyond their young years. Take for example, young Gebriel, a bright, young 10 year old, who wrote this poem as a 3rd grader last year.
Things We Share
By Gebriel C.
Angelou and I have a lot in common...
If I were back in her young days,
we would be best friends.
She could be the music, I could be the song.
She could be the dance, I could be the moves.
Me and Angelou have a lot in common.
Her eyes have seen the dark holes of this life, yet the beauty of this life.
I have seen both.
Maya Angelou is the voice of our people.
I too will be the voice of our story, "The Book of Life."
Maya Angelou and I have a lot in common.
Before the election of President Obama, whenever I experienced a glimpse of hope amidst the darkness surrounding education in America, I used Suskind's term, "Hope in the Unseen." But now, I see hope everywhere! I see it in Gebriel's proud smile as she reads her extraordinarily brilliant poem. I see possibility in our young kindergartners as their eyes widen with excitement when they learn something new. In fact, I see hope on all the faces of my students! Perhaps this is the true gift of the "Obama Effect." It fills us with hope and promise for a better tomorrow.
To all my fellow educators, I wish you and all your students, a wonderful year ahead, filled with unparalleled hope, endless discoveries and limitless possibilities!
Please share your thoughts about educational equity by posting your comments on this website or by sending an email to Cheryl@VoicesOfColor.com
January 20, 2008
Voices of Color Commentary, Vol. 1.
Title: Mind the Gap
 In June 2001, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel with my fellow doctoral students to London, England for two weeks of study at the University of London. After our daily classes we would spend the afternoons enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of the city. We quickly learned how to navigate the “Tube,” London’s underground railway system. Every time we boarded the Tube, we were reminded to “Mind the Gap” – to pay particular attention to the sometimes significant gap between the train door and the station platform. For whatever reason, “Mind the Gap” soon became one of our favorite expressions. Perhaps it was because it was posted everywhere, and not just at the Tube stations or platforms. We saw it on t-shirts, bags, canisters and a host of other British souvenirs.
While my doctoral program and my days in London soon became distant memories, the expression “Mind the Gap” never really left my consciousness. However, over time, it took on an entirely new meaning. Passionate about educational equity, I became increasingly concerned at the growing gap in achievement between White and Asian students and students of color. Perhaps more alarming than the gap itself was the fact that no one around me seemed to “mind the gap.” Worse yet, many didn’t seem to even recognize or acknowledge that the gap existed at all.
The idea for Voices of Color emerged amidst my passion for equity and my deep frustration about “the gap.” My goal was to capture the collective wisdom of students, particularly students of color, regarding race, racism, and schooling, and use Voices of Color as a springboard for raising educators’ awareness and understanding of issues of educational equity. While Voices of Color has proven to be a powerful tool for staff development, I felt that the time had come to broaden its scope and capacity to reach a larger audience of educators and youth. I developed the Voices of Color website to share the wisdom of the Voices of Color students and to provide a forum for people like you to express your voice and perspective on issues of equity, race, and student achievement. Our ongoing dialogue will help keep the issues of educational equity at the forefront, reminding everyone to “mind the gap” and to work vigorously to help all children achieve academic success.
Please share your thoughts about educational equity by posting your comments on this website
or by sending an email to Cheryl@VoicesOfColor.com.
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
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