Journal of a Black Teacher

 By Don Allen (Editorial Opinion) - Journal of A Black Teacher The landmark decision of Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954 is often awkwardly celebrated as a monumental victory in the struggle for civil rights and social justice in the United States. By declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, the Supreme Court set the stage for the desegregation of American society, promoting equality in education. However, while the decision was a significant step forward in many respects, it also had unintended and adverse consequences for Black educators, which continue to resonate today. This paper aims to meet the assignment prerequisites by exploring the connections between the policy established by Brown vs. Board and the social justice issue of the marginalization and displacement of Black teachers, highlighting the complex interplay between legal reforms and their social impact. (Photo: Artist-Unknown)  Brown vs. Board of Education consolidated five separate

By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher (Editorial Opinion) The Minnesota Department of Education's Grow Your Own programs are innovative and needed ventures laid out to cater to the reality of teacher shortages and to develop a teaching career workforce that is diverse and highly qualified. Though these kinds of programs generally target both high school dropouts and paraprofessionals for the project, there is still a solid argument to begin real GYO programs as early as middle school. Beginning GYO initiatives in middle school can harness the formative nature of these years, providing a solid foundation for future educators and addressing critical educational challenges. How do district leaders Identify and cultivate an interest in teaching? Middle school is a formative stage for scholars regarding their interests or the road to their future careers. With this program, the Minnesota Department of Education will be better prepared to identify students already interested in teachi

At the end of the day, a face-to-face conversation over a cup of coffee or dinner is better than posting on social media; let us be very clear, it’s entertainment - but for some, it’s a lifestyle, unfortunately. By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher (Editorial Opinion)  Comedian Katt Willams (in one of his stand-up acts) said, “I’ve never seen so many influencers on social media who don’t influence anything.” Undeniably, social media has the ability to keep people in contact with their past. In a way, it works digitally just like the scrapbook—saving moments of our lives and letting us relive them at will. Beyond personal memory, social platforms become vehicles for historical narratives. Any given day could bring out threads about the civil rights movement, posts marking a special historic event, or even simply a viral tweet citing one of the major leaders, for example, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Encounters of this sort could sometimes be educational and informative in the sense th

By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher (2024) With the world waiting with bated breath to see how Vladimirovich Putin—the President of Russia—is going to treat (if elected) the first female President of the United States, their joint working process will become jam-packed with assumptions. Will Putin necessarily push the limits of tyranny, or maybe an amazing turn towards cooperation and mutual trust await us at the end? To understand the possible trajectory of this relationship, consider a few factors at play: Putin's historical approach toward U.S. leaders, what the presence of gender could mean in global politics, and the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Historically, Putin approached U.S. presidents with well-timed pragmatism and a show of muscle at times, a way of probing the boundaries of diplomatic and geopolitical relationships. His presidency has been characterized by calculated decisions that would poke the West in the eye, among them annexation of Crimea and full support

“How can we be surgical enough to make sure our children are doing math, science, reading, and thinking beyond grade level?” Listen to The 180 Podcast: Zaretta Hammond: What is Culturally-Responsive Teaching? https://turnaround.medium.com/the-180-podcast-zaretta-hammond-what-is-culturally-responsive-teaching-1756d9129f38 By Don Allen, Editorial Opinion - Journal of A Black Teacher (2024) We all hear a lot about the importance of educating kids in an equitable and inclusive environment. But despite those aspirations, far too many educators and policymakers engage in practices that foster inequity, beginning with what Zaretta Hammond calls Cognitive Red Lining (2021) . In her 180 Podcast, Zaretta Hammond: What is Culturally-Responsive Teaching?, Hammond inferred, “We know what physical housing red lining is. In schools, we have cognitive red lining, which, on its surface, doesn't look racialized.” I'm not here to cause any problems, and if I were, I would want to be the whole

Black men are not victims; they are an integral thread in the social and political fabric that makes up the United States of America. Their contributions to American history, culture, and economics are quite undeniable. Not taking the black man seriously during this campaign season is a mistake. They are voters, leaders, and change-makers whose voices have to be heard. It will not only cost an important demographic but also weaken the possibility of real improvement if their concerns and aspirations are ignored. Candidates who do not engage black men in deeper dialogue risk losing the support of a community that will matter for the future of our democracy. By Don Allen (Editorial Opinion) - Journal of A Black Teacher Invisible Man, 1952 - Photography Archive - The Gordon Parks Foundation In the landscape of American politics—where every vote counts and each demographic is meticulously analyzed—one group stays conspicuously absent from the conversation: Black men. It is not a matter of

The recent confirmation of Kamala Harris to run for president has provided a new opportunity to reassess our political strategies. While her candidacy might be seen as a step forward in terms of representation, it is essential to critically evaluate whether her campaign and the broader political discourse are addressing the systemic issues that many feel are being ignored. The focus should not solely be on Harris as an individual but on the broader political framework within which she operates. By Don Allen (Editorial Opinion) - Journal of A Black Teacher In the grand theater of American politics, where dramatic gestures often overshadow substantive action, few spectacles are as revealing as the interplay between social media activism and political reality. As Kamala Harris gears up for a presidential run in 2024, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture where the clamor of social media protests collides with the stark reality of electoral politics. This collision exposes a disheartenin

  By Don Allen, Editorial Opinion This is an often-espoused goal: the quest for educational diversity and representation, yet far too elusive for way too many exceptionally qualified Black male teachers seeking a job in dominant culture school districts. Having the credentials, skill sets, and proven abilities to successfully educate does not avert the all-too-common response heard by so many of these educators: "You're certainly qualified, but we're going in a different direction." The troubling phenomenon is not simply personal but reflects a systemic problem that persists in undermining the educational landscape. Black male teachers bring unique perspectives, modeling and mentoring students who otherwise may not have that type of representation within their academic environment. Their presence can, indeed, do much to enhance the cultural competency of all students and create an inclusive, enriched atmosphere toward learning. In far too many dominant culture school