A year ago Sean and I were touring Giddens School and deciding where we wanted to apply for preschool. There were may reasons we chose Giddens for her, but one of the most endearing was seeing all the work and discussion around race, justice and equality that was happening as the entire school prepared to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King with their annual MLK Jr. March for Peace & Justice. Hearing preschool aged children talk about their skin color and how some people in this world are treated unfairly because of it, was truly amazing to us. If all schools could start so early then this generation really truly could make the world a better place.
Sean and I joined Carrie Ella's class for the march. The students had made t-shirts and capes noting what "I Stand For" as well as signs to carry and we all assembled in the gym at 10:00. It was great to see all the things these students stand for; Animals, Affordable Healthcare, Gun control, clean water, love, freedom & peace. The preschoolers and pre-K's all wore shirts silk screened with hearts and decorated with markers.
After some announcements and a song by the 4/5's we headed out to the street where the police were waiting to escort us on our march to the Langston Hughes theater.
At the theater there was a ceremony filled with songs, student speeches and recitations of Dr. King and Langston Hughes.
While most all of this may have been lost on Carrie Ella, the little bit that got through over the last couple weeks and today will no doubt make an impression on who she is and who she grows to be.
Last night I asked her if she was excited for the MLK Jr. march to which she replied "will Martin King be there?" A cute and innocent question that led to an interesting conversation. This school really puts these difficult conversations out there at an early age, and I think it's wonderful.
We are so happy and fortunate that she can be a part of such an amazing school that values so heavily social justice and responsibility as part of the daily curriculum and look forward to having her continue at Giddens over the next couple years.
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