Negro Wall Street: Teaching what I hadn't learned

Today marks the beginning of the centennial *somberversary of the white terrorist attacks and mass slaughter of Black Americans in the Greenwood section of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a very prosperous Black section of the city. Booker T. Washington had previously nicknamed it "Negro Wall Street." In 1921, at least 300 Black people were killed in an hours-long assault, by air and land, at the hands of white people who couldn't nor wouldn't tolerate the idea of Black people...existing and prospering. Armed Black men and women resisted, fighting back in an attempt to save what rightfully was theirs--life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; their family and their property.

They were outnumbered, outgunned, and out-airplaned.

I did not learn about this in school.

TBH, I had been teaching for several years when I did learn about it.

I explained to my elementary students at the time, that I chose not to bemoan what I didn't learn growing up. Instead, as I read and learn, I'll share my learning with them so that they can never say that which I later had to admit as a seasoned educator.

Ever since, I've made what occurred in 1921, and in 1985 in Philadelphia (MOVE), part and parcel of the discussions on the history of this country and its treatment towards Black people.

This approach, the learning of what I wasn't taught and in-turn teaching it, will continue to be my approach, as I continue to read, watch, listen, and engage. 

By the way, consider reading, watching, listening and engaging with The Oklahoma Eagle. Based in Tulsa, it's the 10th oldest Black-owned newspaper in the country still in publication. They "are the last survivor of the original black-owned businesses still operating within the historic Black Wall Street footprint."

https://t.co/2O3bXblqlI pic.twitter.com/RCviiQbtyx

— The Oklahoma Eagle (@oklahoma_eagle) May 24, 2021

Link

Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre takes an in-depth sobering look at the tragic events. From the birth of Black Wall Street to its downfall. The two-hour documentary premieres Sunday, May 30 at 8pm. #RememberTulsa pic.twitter.com/3Te6qWtHJ7

— HISTORY (@HISTORY) April 26, 2021

"Behind the Eyes of Our Youth" | A reflection on podcasting with high school students

We did a thing.

I briefly wrote about that thing back in December, 2020.

Who did a thing? The class. Comm101.

That thing? Student podcasting.

Back in the fall, via a vote, the students of Comm101 suggested and decided on the name, Behind the Eyes of Our Youth. True to its name, they come up with topics to discuss that truly give us a window into some of the thinking of young Black high school students in a large urban school district. They choose the topics. They volunteer to host particular episodes. They guide the discussions. I assist behind the scenes.

The class? Communications. The point of the podcast? Communicate. 👀 The pedagogy? Black student student-centered.✊🏾 We don't just *talk* communications, we *do* communications.

— Doc Flem (@kellygrade6) May 7, 2021

In that previous post, I briefly discussed the podcast's inception and also posted audio summarizing season 1. Season 2, which began in January 2021, has not disappointed. The talent, the critical thinking, the articulation of informed opinions, the debates, and the passion on and off a recorded mic has been, in an emoji, 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I also spoke about Comm101 and our Behind the Eyes of Our Youth podcast with a colleague from another school here in Philly for his own podcast. Check out that conversation below.

Listen to ""Behind the Eyes of Our Youth" and the Pedagogy of Podcasting". This is episode 1 of season 2 of @RappingPE ... it was a pleasure having @kellygrade6 pop on to talk about @comm101_ and Behind The Eyes of Our Youth. #PHLed #edutwitter #PhysEd https://t.co/hR5vKM0XCR

— Steven Michael Buller (@BeardDripBuller) April 16, 2021

With less than 30 days left of school, I honestly believe that the thinkers and communicators of Comm101 have a few more episodes left in them before we archive this poddy and possibly begin afresh with a new group of students in the fall.

In Comm101-related news, one of our local journalists, who keeps his finger on the pulse of Philly education, came to visit our class one day. He observed and reported on the spirited reaction conversation my class had in response to the guilty verdicts rendered in the Derrick Chauvin trial. Chauvin, of course, was the police officer who lynched George Floyd in May of 2020. You'll hear some audio of my Comm101ers in his report.

Big thanks to @kellygrade6 for letting me sit in on one of his classes. It was one of the most interesting and energetic classroom conversations I've ever witnessed. #PhlEd

Check out the story below: https://t.co/PS3vkJTxbu

— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) April 28, 2021