An International Baccalaureate High School graduate and diploma recipient. A freshly graduated college graduate from one of the preeminent universities and top-tier research institutes in the country with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. The evidence supports the claim that Dré was an educated individual…by academic standards. He was always taught to value education and he held it in high regard, even though, arguably, it came fairly easy to him. However, his parents always impressed upon him the importance of understanding that so many things can be taken away from anyone, but education would always reside within. He touted that education as a badge of honor and looked for every opportunity to put it on display. Fortunately, while in college, after entering as a double major in microbiology and music education, on the cusp of completing the science-based degree, he had an encounter with a young martial arts student that enhanced his perspective and guided him to the realization that his passion, purpose, responsibility, and ministry was to teach. He entered the professional education realm fueled by an unbridled fire to make a change and provide opportunity for all students. His weapon – relationship-building! One thing about that young man was that he understood the power of relationships; they are the currency of success. Provide each student with what they need, and they will succeed. No questions asked. He didn’t realize it at the time, but he was armed with equity by another name. His version of equity existed in the form of differentiated instruction, viewed from the lens of supporting each student, not simply providing the materials in a variety of digestible ways. His approached garnered the attention of his colleagues, who recognized him as their choice for Teacher of the Year during his third year of teaching; of which, he would go on to be a finalist for the 7th largest public school district in the nation. But it wasn’t his time…he still had MUCH to learn.
But what? He valued the fact that he had been educated at a prestigious PWI (Predominantly White Institute), held multiple degrees, demonstrated his effectiveness in the classroom, contributed to his profession, and treated all of his students with respect! This was the standard that all others were held to…he checked all of the boxes. It didn’t matter that he was the only finalist of African descent, because color did not matter. Dré prided himself on the fact that he was colorblind. Having grown up in diverse neighborhoods, in his eyes, he hadn’t dealt with situations where ethnicity placed him at a disadvantage. This was largely due to something his mother instilled in him throughout his young life. She would say, “No one in this world is better than you; but you aren’t better than anyone else.” That stuck. And with that, came a confidence that regardless of the obstacle, if something was meant for him, he would have it. No challenge was too difficult, no opinion too persuasive, and no desire or dream too big, for him to accomplish. While that mantra propelled him to achieve and fueled his competitive ambition, it also left him an incredible blindspot. This blindspot left him blissfully naive and ignorant to the role his ethnicity played within his narrative. Some may read that last sentence as a negative thing, but there are many angles by which to view this. The confidence that Dré traditionally carried would often be perceived as arrogance, as he was notorious for not placing any weight on the opinions of others, but ultimately making a decision that was based on logic and not emotion. This is also the mindset that allowed him to look past situations that found him on the receiving end of racism or racially-charged discrimination. This ignorance was just viewed as an obstacle to be overcome, which he did. But in looking past those discriminating events, he missed the true lesson in tests. He was so concerned with showing how he could overcome the odds that he lost the reason behind why he had to experience that trial. Thank God for hindsight and introspection! Dré was able to accomplish many great things and impact the lives of some absolutely phenomenal young adults who would go one to be world changing influences themselves; but, he lacked the ability to be truly transformative through the implementation of TRUE equity – the creation and execution of systems within the currently established processes that have established generational barriers in order to ensure an equal opportunity for ALL students to actively pursue the best version of themselves.
As a male of African descent who was viewed as successful, he was much more than just an effective educator. With each obstacle and barrier that he overcame, he demonstrated to the students both under his charge and those throughout the community that success is possible. But how can you elevate a people according to their needs and systemic barriers preventing progress when you lack awareness of the generational impediments that have caused this gap in progress? How do you establish and promote sustainable change guided by equity for people of African descent when you never learned about anything other than Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks throughout your 20 years of education consisting of 2 diplomas and 2 degrees? To reference the quote of Sir Isaac Newton, in order to see further, he would have to stand on the shoulders of giants. Dré’s vision for his purpose, while altruistic and guided by the right principles, lacked the perspective to fulfill a greater potential that went outside of the 4 walls of his music classroom, even if he didn’t see it. But what’s next? When did the shift happen?
Re-Imagining Equity and Learning 
Can’t wait for the next release of this continuing blog!
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Awesome read! So proud of you son
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Outstanding! Looking forward to parts 2 and 3.
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Perspective is key. Even quantum physics teaches us this is the basis of all awareness. Everything exists from your point of view at all times. Challenging yourself to use another perspective is proof of intelligence and growth. Looking forward to the next segment.
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