“Until we get equality in education, we won't have an equal society.”
-Sonia Sotomayor
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
Education can be a great equalizer. Something that is worth reflecting on as we continue the fight to dismantle the systemic oppression and racial inequality that this country was built on. When we know better we can do better. My hope is that each of us continue to evolve and fight for what we know to be right.
“Just one great idea can completely revolutionize your life.” -Earl Nightingale
Let’s talk for a moment about integrity:
integrity | noun the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. the state of being whole and undivided.
On a scale of 1 - 10, how would you rate your level of integrity?
...think about that for a moment...
How important is integrity to you?
...a question we may not think to ask ourselves...
Gay Hendricks provides this analogy to consider: about 'integrity':
A misaligned wheel on an ox cart doesn’t cause much of a problem, but a slightly ‘out-of-integrity’ wheel, on a Grand Prix racer, can spell death and destruction.
Is your integrity out of alignment?
...Think about that for a moment... How do you know?
*Check yourself:
Do you bend and fold easy, despite what you know to be true or right?
Do you mutilate the truth when you speak,to accommodate the audience that may not agree?
When you’re angry and someone asks you, "what’s wrong?", Do you respond “nothing”, or are you honest with them about your feelings...?
When you tell someone you will call them later, and you don’t.., is that the end of it...?
If your answer is yes to any of the above, it’s a good chance your integrity is out of alignment. You have been setting up a force-field of dishonesty around yourself that you have become more and more desensitized to with every infraction...
*Today’s Challenge: Speak truth to power!
Renew your commitment to authentic speaking!
Do your best to avoid putting even the slightest spin on the truth.
**When you are ready to put words to action, and looking for ways help dismantle systemic oppression in our education systems; here are questions to ask yourself and present to those in position to make positive change:
1. How important is an inclusive education that meets the needs of all students?
2. Do you know what the racial achievement gap is in your school district?
3. School Boards, principals, teachers... how are you going to address the racial achievement gap?
4. Are your schools erasing the history and accomplishments of people of color from your child’s textbooks?
5. Are your children only learning about people of color in February?
6. Is the diversity of teaching staff and administration in your school district representative of the demographics of your community and students you serve? If not, how are you addressing the issue?
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
-Nelson Mandela
Don’t miss your opportunity! Be intentional, encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#meaningfulmonday. #learnandgrow, #leadbyexample, #bethechangeyouwanttoseeinothers, #justdoit, #levelup #youmatter, #blacklivesmatter, #standup, #speakup, #leverageyourprivilege, #Changeiscoming, #dontgiveup, #dontlosehope, #libertyandjusticeforall, #truth, #ittakescourage, #lifecoach, #leadershipcoach, #leadershipdevelopment, #letsgo
References:
*A Year of Living Consciously: 365 Daily Inspirations for Creating a Life of Passion and Purpose, by Gay Hendricks
**So You Want To Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo
Comentários