Years ago in graduate school, specifically in my MEd programme at York University, I had taken a course on Gender, Race and Social Class especially because the last concept was important to me.
I’ve always known that class is the secret ingredient of oppression in addition to and intertwined with the BIG ones.
Social class always worsens the other oppressions that people experience.
One of our assignments was observing public pedagogy how do you spread a message in society and connect with people about what matters most? At the heart of my learning, this was my takeaway. We can have plaques and posters, hashtags and bumper stickets.
Public Pedagogy is just a big word for “talking to people” and talking to people is an excellent and sustainable way of influencing ongoing actionfor social justice in education.
How I Was Raised Informs How I Show Up
At the All Members Meeting at our local on June 4th, President Mastin reminded us that the complexities of communities is a key factor. We know this based on how our working conditions are impacted by the needs and strengths of the communities whose children are in our classrooms.
Some children have less.
Some children need more.
A gift card of 750/- does not make this reality go away.
I know about social class from living in a monochromatic demographic in all the cities I’ve lived in and travelled to in India. So I know what I’m talking about.
This knowing comes from being taught to notice and name. It comes from being invited to feel the discomfort of observing social inequities.
It mainly and above all comes from being raised by parents who reminded me: “Rashmee, look around you. What do you see and who has less than you do? What can you do to change this?”
A Sunny Breezy Saturday Morning
So here’s what happened this Saturday morning.
A neighbour is getting some work done in their backyard and the contractor pulled in to the street. I don’t usually see them as I’m at work long before this time.
Is That Your Sign?
Lawn Sign That I Picked Up at Our Local’s All Members’ Meeting.
The gentleman pointed to this sign and asked what’s now the subheading above.
“Yes”, I replied.
“That’s very important to speak about and stand up for”, he commended.
I moved the conversation further, or what’s a weekend for? (A little Robert Browning inspiration there).
“Do you see here”, I asked… “It’s all the unions who represent who work in publicly funded in education.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that”, he responded. “My wife is a retired teacher. All of us need to talk about this.”
Deepening The Dialogue
Then I offered, “Would you like a lawn sign? I have some in my car”
“Let me check at home. I’ll knock on your door if I’d like one”, he said.
“I’m at work on Monday. I’ll leave one for you on the porch before I leave.” I offered.
I also mentioned that I also have a button if that’s preferred.
Theory to Action
My public pedagogy course was in 2011. It is the doing of it that matters in the everyday work.
Whether with an ETFO YR banner at the Markham Cricket Academy ground thanks to the initiative that came to fruition through our Political Action Committee, or this conversation as I was outside, I continue to convert the theory into action and I am inviting you to join me.
Why Should I Care?
… people may ask us if you like me, walk through your spaces wearing your red shirt on weekends.
This Is What I say
I understand your question.
My children aren’t in school anymore.
Not everyone in our communities is a parent.
But we all know children, we know of children.
I say this because James Baldwin reminds us of this:
“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.”
Walk With Me, Fellow Traveller
Take one small step with me.
Talk to just one person.
Then one more.
Then one more.
Because…
Talking to people matters.
Making this work a human connection matters.
Reaching out with a “would you like a button” matters.
Publicly funded matters because children matter, families matter, educators matter.
