I went to"Black Pioneers as Examples of Faith and Healing" with speakers Darius Grey and Margaret Blair Young. I was surprised that I was familiar with the woman speaker. She is the wife of one of my past professors. I was already pretty sure that we saw the world a bit differently and that made me a little concerned. I was surprised at how defensive I felt every time they mentioned "white" people doing something terrible or even just rude - as if the color of my skin made me something separate or was something I had to defend. This had nothing to do with their words, but the way my mind initially perceived the situation. I was set at ease though as the man told the story he'd prepared. He told the story of African-American Len Hope who converted to the church and stayed faithful despite persecution from without and within the church. Grey made it clear that the story of black LDS members was everyone's story as part of the church, just as people talk about how the trials of the pioneers is every member's story whether or not they're born "pioneer stock." I like that. I liked being connected to people of so much faith and strength that they could stand up among hypocrites and humbly stand firm in the faith. There is a lot to be learned from their example. I was disturbed at how badly people, even those confessing to be converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and claiming those values taught in the scriptures of charity, could behave. Unfortunately, this still happens today with all kinds of groups and prejudices.
I don't know if there really is much risk when I consider these experiences, outside of losing my own sense of security in the world. It is certainly worth it if I can help even a few people heal from any pain they've faced so far. It's important to face and know about the problem in the world without perpetuating or reversing the effects. In class we discussed race and ethnicity and the the complications that come with these concepts. We also have had a lot of discussion on how it isn't enough just to claim that we aren't racist. If we aren't taking action against racism, we are perpetuating it and I think that this is something that I often don't think about. Being aware of what other's face is important, doing what I can to stop it is better. We also talked about hegemony and culture. It's hard when a culture just accepts prejudice and I think I need to find ways of questioning my culture. The people who treated Hope the way they did were likely just following accepted ideas of those around them.
Thinking about the classroom, I want students to feel that they are all part of each other's stories. I think it's important, especially during literature studies that deal with sensitive race issues, to let them know that this is part of the human story - their story. When issues come up, I need to take the time as a teacher to talk about them. I also want to note and deal with the hypocrisy in the world, but stay strong in the face of it rather than let it eat out their souls and destroy who they are. I need to set the ideas before my students and show the how to critically analyse accepted concepts and question hegemony. I hope I never may be accused of treating any student with so little dignity and be a part of such ignorance. I was surprised at the way I felt when my race was being particularly represented in a certain light and I realized that there are plenty of people who face this everyday. They may even come into classrooms already expecting the worst because of past hurt and perceiving things to be against them. I feel pain for them. I need to be aware and accept that some or many my students will be treated with disrespect by others at times for no logical reason. Hopefully, I can be a resource to these students, helping them to overcome challenges that others have put in their way. I can also present to all my students positive images of minorities to help them feel welcome and safe.
