For a long time, we at Integrated Schools encouraged parents to “Show up, shut up, and stay put”. This was a pushback to the ways that White and/or privileged parents often interact with global majority schools. And yet, simply showing up and shutting up, while an important first step, isn’t enough. We have to speak out against the inequities that plague our schools. However, knowing when to speak up, and what to speak up about can be tricky.

We’re joined by education consultant and Black parent, Dr. Toutoule Ntoya, and political strategist and White parent, Becky Boll, both of whom chose local, neighborhood, public schools for their children. We discuss the challenges of advocating for change within the education system and the need to be in community first. We also grapple with balancing advocacy for one’s own child while also advocating for all kids, while navigating the school system’s differing expectations for parents based on race.

While we don’t land on easy steps or clear answers, hopefully the nuanced conversation is helpful to anyone committed to educational equity.

LINKS:

• Dr. Ntoya’s website
• Integrated Schools theory of change – Contemplate, Desegregate, Integrate, Advocate
• Send us a voicemail
• Matt Barnum in Chalkbeat on the link between school choice and gentrification
• African American Parent Council in Pasadena

ACTION STEPS:

1. Talk to the young people in your life about your own schooling experiences and how that affects the choices you are making for them.
2. Don’t blame global majority schools for the challenges they face. Recognize the role of the system, and view your participation in fixing them as work pushing back on systemic injustice.
3. Find BIPOC led organizations in your community that are doing advocacy work and ask how you can help.

Join our Patreon to support this work, and connect with us and other listeners to discuss these issues even further.

Let us know what you think of this episode, suggest future topics, or share your story with us – @integratedschls on twitter, IntegratedSchools on Facebook, or email us [email protected].

We’re thrilled to be joining Connectd Podcasts, a network dedicated to helping shows like ours grow and thrive. For more info, or to check out their other amazing shows, head over to their website.

The Integrated Schools Podcast was created by Courtney Mykytyn and Andrew Lefkowits.

This episode was produced by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. It was edited, and mixed by Andrew Lefkowits.

Music by Kevin Casey.

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