By Keisha Kerr

My social justice collage depicts the journey I have and still am experiencing as a Black woman, mother to Black children, and a Black educator in society. This journey began as an immigrant from Jamaica at a young age, where I witnessed my first brush with discrimination in the school system.

This collage represents the many experiences I have witnessed as an educator and experienced personally in the education system. The different shades of Black, the underrepresentation in schools, the lack of support for lower socioeconomic groups and immigrants/ newcomers, and the overall lack of opportunities for marginalized groups.

Supporting Students’ Intersecting Identities (2019) clearly illustrates the intersectional identities of many students I am privileged to teach and work with. As an educator, this article really resonates with me because students face many overlapping identities that impact and shape how they see themselves and view the world they live in. The struggle of race, gender, and the style of your hair are a few examples of barriers that affect students and their learning. (Eager, 2019).

These struggles have been going on for a long time; however, there seems to be a continued pattern where not much is being done or has changed in the school system. According to Campbell (2020), data have shown that the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status negatively affects student educational opportunities and pathways (p. 13).  So why have these practices remained the same or not been changed for all students to reach their fullest potential?

Every student should be empowered, supported, and encouraged to strive for success. I believe all students deserve the opportunity to be their best and reach their potential, regardless of the barriers they may face because of the colour of their skin. I want students to believe that they can be successful and be in a school system that is equitable and inclusive for all.

References

Campbell, C. (2020). Educational equity in Canada: The case of Ontario’s strategies and actions to advance excellence and equity for students. School Leadership & Management, 41(4-5), 409–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2019.1709165

Eager, J. (2019). Supporting students’ intersecting identities. ASCD.org. https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/supporting-students-intersecting-identities