Just Say It!

Up to this point in my reading, Milner has spent over 150 pages digging deeper into racial structures that have developed and how to best work within these to decrease the opportunity gap.  Now on page 155, in context of what he has already established thus far, I encountered a topic/section that almost began flashing in front of my eyes: "Fearful to Just Say it."
     The opening sentence of this section states "some societal wisdom would suggest that the best way to address difficult issues is to ignore them and certainly not to talk about them."  It is at this moment that I stopped reading and thought, "wow, how true is this statement in schools today!" Political correctness and racial differences pose potential issues of misunderstanding and ignorance when addressing difficult issues through speech.  As a result, many issues are overlooked.  Teachers avoid saying crass and offensive words even when reading them in an article or book that is working to make a point against their use. So often, as Milner points out, teachers shy away from the major issues out of fear of sounding ignorant or causing an upset.  As teachers, though, shouldn't we be working to cause our students to think and expand their knowledge and beliefs?  If I choose to stay quiet about an issue, am I not therefore choosing to impose ignorance on my students rather than do what I am called to do and actually teach them something?
    As Milner continues on, he writes the following sentence that truly sums up this idea.  "When teachers are afraid to express certain words or phrases because they are concerned about being judged, they can miss out on promising opportunities to unpack mind-sets and belief systems that can be much more devastating to P-12 students than a teacher's use of an uncomfortable word or phrase" (pg 156).  Being a teacher requires a certain level of boldness.  It can truly be frightening to stand in front of a group of students and bring up an uncomfortable topic not knowing how students or parents will respond.  But in response to Milner's challenging words, I am encouraged to take the initiative to enter these situations to better help and improve my students mind-sets and worldviews on diversity.
   This idea ties directly into my worldview.  I believe that God created all of us to live in community with one another.  In order for this community to be successful and beautiful, he calls us to respect, love, and build each other up.  It is also important to note that God is the ultimate creator of all things, especially diversity.  Every animal, plant, and person comes with great diversity, and this is something to be celebrated.  This is also a cause to turn around and praise God all the more for the beauty he has created.
    Along with this, I also believe that Satan is very real, and he works in multiple ways to cause brokenness in our communities and in the beauty of diversity.  This fear that Milner talks about is just one way that sin creeps in and destroys this community.  When the devil is able to get a foothold in my life, this grows exponentially until my mind creates an alternate reality filled with frustration and misunderstandings.  Rather, I believe God calls us to join in with one another and say what we need to say, while being mindful of our words as well.  I have seen this happen so many times in friendships and relationships, and understand that talking and being on the same page about important issues is vital to successful community.
    Overall, I take away from this section of the book that talking about difficult and touchy subjects may be uncomfortable at first, but is something teachers must not shy away from.  God calls us to learn and grow together in a community.  Facing difficult issues together and learning from one another just makes the bonds between us that much stronger.