Oppressive practices in formal learning settings cause great psychological and physical damage to Black and Brown communities, especially youth. We must name and work toward dismantling the systems that continue to perpetuate racism and other forms of oppression— and rebuild open, inclusive, transparent, and affirming practices within learning spaces and communities.
School systems need to examine oppressive practices that harm students and communities and implement proven practices that create equity—including but not limited to recruiting racially diverse teachers who hold other identities and implementing culturally responsive teaching strategies.