Journal of a Black Teacher

  I wasn’t there, nor would I be. My research  found   no verified evidence   that “Black delegates” as a group ignored Sheriff Dawanna Witt. What is confirmed: Witt received about   58% , below the   60% endorsement threshold , withdrew after multiple ballots, and the fight centered on law enforcement, ICE/protest response, and DFL factional politics. ( Star Tribune ) By Don Allen What happened at the Hennepin County DFL convention should bother anyone who still believes political endorsement processes are supposed to reflect judgment, fairness, and coalition-building. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, the sitting sheriff, the first Black person and first woman to hold the office, failed to secure the DFL endorsement after receiving roughly 58 percent of delegate support. The threshold was 60 percent. After several rounds, she withdrew. Let that sink in. A sitting Democratic sheriff, apparently the only Democrat in the race, came within two points of e...

  The future will not be determined by whether artificial intelligence becomes more powerful. It will be determined by whether Black people remain capable of recognizing one another in a world increasingly filled with digital noise. By Don Allen I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, a state that seems determined to find itself in the national headlines every week for one reason or another. Every day brings another controversy, another scandal, another public embarrassment, or another issue that many people simply do not want to discuss honestly. Take government accountability. When billions of taxpayer dollars disappear through fraud or mismanagement, my concern is not merely with the individuals who exploited the system. My concern is with the people sitting behind government desks who approved the funding, failed to monitor it, and ignored the warning signs. Accountability does not begin with the thief. It begins with the gatekeeper. But that is a discussion for another day. What c...

Tragedy has become a trend, not a reckoning. We reward attention without memory and outrage without outcomes. This is not moral awakening, it’s cognitive dissonance on autoplay.” Editorial Opinion | Don Allen We are no longer informed by tragedy, we consume it. There’s a difference. Being informed requires memory, context, and follow-through. Consumption requires only attention. Scroll. React. Move on. What we are doing now is tragedy tourism : riding waves of human suffering as if they were trending destinations, stopping just long enough to feel something before boarding the next outrage flight. Think about how quickly we forget. A white woman stabbed to death on a New York subway, brutal, senseless, terrifying. It lit up headlines, dominated feeds, and then disappeared. No sustained conversation about public safety, mental health, transit systems, or how we protect everyday people navigating shared spaces. Just a spike in attention, then silence. Christians being killed in the cont...

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...

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...

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, a new podcast has emerged, promising to be a beacon of insight, inspiration, and innovation. " Niggle ," hosted by Don Allen, is a fresh and engaging podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities and challenges of education change, leadership, and teaching. With a mission to ignite conversations and foster understanding, " Niggle " delves into the pressing issues facing educators, administrators, and policymakers today. Who is Don Allen? Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A. Ed., MAT is no stranger to the world of education. With a rich background in organizational communication and instructional leadership, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. As a seasoned educator and communicator, Allen has dedicated his career to improving educational outcomes and advocating for equitable practices. His journey has been shaped by his commitment to diversity, equity, and doing what's right for K-12 scholars, particularl...