Four years ago, I was an educator in a district teaching middle schoolers about what happens in society when a lack of humanity exists. I asked them to examine with me what social justice means and why it is necessary when humanity is interrupted. As the school year went on, I began to receive Whitelash because of the action research happening within my classroom. Students were removed from my courses, left to sit in the counselors’ office versus learning about people outside their middle-income suburb. White parents, angry at me for exposing their children to truths, went to the school board to have me fired. In solidarity with keeping her job and the facade of the district’s “Dedication to Excellence”, my principal silenced me over standing as an accomplice. For almost nine months, I could not eat. I could not sleep. I cried every day on the way to and from work. I had panic attacks, and I was angry. Worst of all, my marriage and the relationships I had with beautiful Black folks in my community began to deteriorate. I wasn’t leaving the racism-related stress and subsequent racial battle fatigue at work. I wasn’t giving my family and community the best of me. I was disappearing. This research is my me-search.
This year, I am watching more and more Black educators disappear. We are quitting jobs, finding work as far from the classroom as possible. Some of us are looking into entrepreneurship in our quest to “just get free”. Others have no plan, choosing to stay unemployed as long as possible to rest and heal while at the same time hoping that something will come along that gives a reprieve.
Much love,
Dr. Asia Lyons
In my last piece, I shared the wisdom of Dr. William Smith, the coiner of racial battle fatigue. His suggestions for Black educators wanting to stay in the field of teaching:
- Leave traditional education spheres in exchange for education spaces that reflect Black love and excellence.
- Make sure that your home is a place of refuge from racial battle fatigue.
- Eat healthy foods and exercise. Connect with nature.
- Develop or reconnect with African Consciousness
- Pick your battles.
After being out of K-12 education for a few years now and having interviewed many Black people who have left education, I would like to share my list of reflections. Here is what you should know if you are deciding to leave teaching.
- Know your worth.
- Educators who have left teaching go on to do fantastic things for their communities.
- You can always return to teaching.
- You are replaceable at your school but not within your family.
Lastly, I would like to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite people, Audre Lorde. “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” For my fellow Black educators, I am asking you to stand in your truth. Dare to be powerful.
