tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5236717300926659403..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90577296793074570272019-10-08T09:52:57.840-07:002019-10-08T09:52:57.840-07:00@real questions "It certainly makes sense to ...@real questions "It certainly makes sense to me that people would have family traditions they may not share with their neighbors or that are region specific." <br /><br />It goes much deeper in the US, as someone's heritage and relatives also shape family values and other aspects of culture. <br /><br />For example there are some well known values sometimes understood broadly as American, because the majority culture has defined them as such, which actually do not reflect the values of all its inhabitants. Take for example whether it is o.k to live with your parents into your twenties or thirties, or in an extended family household. Your example of being late is interesting as we would rationalize that influences from my mother's culture were why she was always late! She was second generation. <br /><br />I can also understand why someone who is not from America would on the surface, not be able to understand the self perception of differences between descendants of various ethnic groups within the US. You also may not be quite as knowlegeable (as you believe) about US history, and specifically the history of various ethnic groups. How history is taught in public school or college is different depending upon where you live in the US. It has also changed over time. Your criticism of Americans, who also identify with an ethnic heritage of their relatives, is one I have heard from others not born here. But as you know in Anthropology, there are many lenses, perspectives and voices to consider. <br /><br />KLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24366748825585821842019-10-08T08:45:18.875-07:002019-10-08T08:45:18.875-07:00Thank you KL for your interesting thoughts, It is ...Thank you KL for your interesting thoughts, It is nice to have American perspective on my questions.<br /><br />I understand there are many different groups within every country with different traditions. I can see that with a geographic space as large as USA it would be more. It certainly makes sense to me that people would have family traditions they may not share with their neighbors or that are region specific.<br /><br />I think that Anglo Saxon protestants from US do know their culture when they visit England, the only Anglo Saxon protestant country. They know they are more American than English when they try driving on the left side of the road, watching a cricket match,or read a recipe with the ingredients in metric weights & temperatures in Cel, and eating pizza with a knife & fork. Also the American form of Christian religion, evangelicalism, is very American not English. It evolved from the Great Awakening period in American History. <br /><br />If Americans do not know their own culture it seems that it may be because they have never experienced any other culture, so they assume that every other culture is the same as theirs is. But try coming to a job interview an hour late in the USA and see how uniformly American cultural norms are applied. Perhaps American culture should be something that is explained in school too. Is anthropology ever part of social science curriculum in US?<br /><br />- real questions<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20390567404304650302019-10-08T07:55:08.084-07:002019-10-08T07:55:08.084-07:00The Seattle Times asks, Is Math Racist?
https://w...The Seattle Times asks, Is Math Racist?<br /><br />https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/new-course-outlines-prompt-conversations-about-identity-race-in-seattle-classrooms-even-in-math/<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46196988513049903972019-10-08T07:33:33.501-07:002019-10-08T07:33:33.501-07:00@real question I would also add that if you speak ...@real question I would also add that if you speak to many second or even third generation people in the US, they likely understand they are also culturally different than their parents or grandparents. Cultures and countries are also not static and change through time, the place their grandparents left may be a different place today. Some may feel they do not completely fit with either culture. If you are from the dominant American protestant Anglo Saxon culture and have no connection to relatives from elsewhere, likely your own culture is invisible to you. <br /><br />KLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40051779806026588032019-10-08T06:11:13.725-07:002019-10-08T06:11:13.725-07:00Jet City Mom here is a table that lays out the dif...Jet City Mom here is a table that lays out the difference between identifying learning difficulties in schools vs. “diagnosis”. Since the “legal term” in school is SLD you’re unlikely to hear a school psych utter dyslexia. With the push by OSPI hopefully this will change. Long overdue IMHO as most school services I see are ineffective and I have always said that if my child had dyslexia I would get them in a private setting and if need be push to have the public school pay for it. I have known families who have done this and only then was their child able to make gains in reading. Unfortunately most sped teachers are not specifically trained in dyslexia.<br /><br />https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/special-education-basics/the-difference-between-a-school-identification-and-a-clinical-diagnosis<br /><br />NW Parent. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22971889857055947372019-10-07T21:20:58.539-07:002019-10-07T21:20:58.539-07:00Budget Meeting, either it wasn’t attached at the t...Budget Meeting, either it wasn’t attached at the time you looked or you didn’t scrolled down but here’s a link with everything.<br /><br />https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/School%20Board/19-20%20agendas/20191004_Agenda_Posted20191004.pdf<br /><br />The number of low-income students continues to drop. Lots of interesting stuff in there.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65357664726011983722019-10-07T21:04:47.136-07:002019-10-07T21:04:47.136-07:00The budget documents are meaningless.
6:30 Call t...The budget documents are meaningless.<br /><br />6:30 Call to order<br /><br />6:30 Work Session<br /><br />8pm Adjourn<br /><br />https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/School%20Board/19-20%20agendas/20191004_Agenda_Posted20191004.pdfBudget Meetingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90058369961519504982019-10-07T20:33:35.914-07:002019-10-07T20:33:35.914-07:00Peace, that’s your opinion. I would not have done...Peace, that’s your opinion. I would not have done this work - and yes, it’s work - all these years, for free, if I didn’t care about students. You seem to be wanting to needle/chide me endlessly. I got your message. Enough.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91444470503395254112019-10-07T20:14:54.381-07:002019-10-07T20:14:54.381-07:00@real question "There is more tolerance for c...@real question "There is more tolerance for claims by Americans who are 2nd generation but even then it is grudging if they present American norms.Is this because Americans don't leave the country often so they think they are more like other ethnicities than they are like each other?"<br /><br />You may have traveled to other countries but have you lived all over the United States within various communities for any period of time? The US is a large and diverse country. Some communities may retain stronger cultural identities after a generation or two because they were so heavily discriminated against in the past. If someone is raised eating the food, and celebrating the traditions of their grandparents, they have every right to retain a connection to their cultural heritage. <br /><br />In addition, who are you to judge? Even if someone wants to wear African cultural garments and has ancestors way way back from Africa, I have no criticism whatsover. Of course they all know they are "American". Of course we have commonalities we all share as Americans. But we also have differences which is what we are discussing. <br /><br />All countries in the world have people who identify within their borders with various linguistic, cultural or religious heritages. <br /><br />It is a fallacy we are a big melting pot in the US. An ethnic identity different than the dominant culture for many do not go away in one or even two generations. In reality, many people retain cultural values and other things from their various ethnic heritages that may be quite different from a more "dominant cultural group". <br /><br />KL Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77207404429145769602019-10-07T18:41:23.922-07:002019-10-07T18:41:23.922-07:00@ Peace "I think is tragic how to women decid...@ Peace "I think is tragic how to women decide to tear each other apart. For what? If you both really care about education and students, I do not understand the amount of time and effort you spend throwing stuff at each other."<br /><br />Peace, I don't know if you are a woman or a man but it looks like you are the one trying to tear people apart. Why not let it go and practice what you preach? <br />GoodbyeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30953691572290978312019-10-07T17:33:56.781-07:002019-10-07T17:33:56.781-07:00@ Watching,
The only thing that discredits Melissa...@ Watching,<br />The only thing that discredits Melissa Westbrook and diminishes her knowledge and experience is... Melissa Westbrook. To truly care about others is taking yourself out of the center and serve selflessly. It's not about you, me, any of your followers or people that do not agree with you, MW. It's about students. Black, brown, white, pink... ELL, APP, HCC, DLI, SPED, 2E, or any other labels we place on them. The day you understand this you will feel at<br /><br /><br />PEACEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78222839788749258872019-10-07T15:19:11.899-07:002019-10-07T15:19:11.899-07:00Hi Melissa,
I just wanted to acknowledge that cer...Hi Melissa,<br /><br />I just wanted to acknowledge that certain community members (and perhaps individuals within the district) have been trying to discredit you.<br /><br />You've been around for 20 years. Nothing can diminish your knowledge and experience. I'm glad to see that Danny Westneat decided to stop-by. I'm sure certain elected state representatives with stop -by to visit your blog, as well.<br /><br />Thanks for staying so strong.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83098394846366328162019-10-07T13:59:05.683-07:002019-10-07T13:59:05.683-07:00Real Question, good insights... Real Question, good insights... Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65632517530749024132019-10-07T13:47:38.106-07:002019-10-07T13:47:38.106-07:00Having lived in other countries on different conti...Having lived in other countries on different continents, it always surprises me how much Americans want to identify with some distant ancestral connection. And when Americans visit these places the puzzled response of locals is pretty similar whether it's Ireland or Mozambique. To locals, these people are all Americans, they are more like each other than they are like the locals. Typically they speak broad American English, not the local language, they carry themselves and use gestures and vocal volumes that are American. They dress American and have cultural expectations like personal space, timeliness, ice in their drinks & personal transportation. They are ethnically American. <br /><br />There is more tolerance for claims by Americans who are 2nd generation but even then it is grudging if they present American norms. <br /><br /> Is this because Americans don't leave the country often so they think they are more like other ethnicities than they are like each other? <br /><br />-real questionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38788322414335131052019-10-07T12:53:39.878-07:002019-10-07T12:53:39.878-07:00@KL, re: your last post, it’s tricky. It might see...@KL, re: your last post, it’s tricky. It might seem less racist for a brown-haired, green-eyed person to claim to be of NW European descent than it might feel for a blond with blue eyes, don’t you think? I’m certainly not going to go around claiming my predominantly NW European origins, especially to my Jewish friend and family. I also can’t claim other small parts of my heritage because those groups would think it uncool since I don’t look/act the part. As a “white” person, it’s only “ok” for me to claim subgroups that fall within the white category. We’ve created all these “rules” that box people in, which makes comments like TCG’s so hard to stomach. I guess I’m just stuck with having lost part of my “humanity.”<br /><br />By the way, thanks for your civil engagement on this complex issues. I appreciate the chance to talk honestly. We need more of this.<br /><br />Not okAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20461524936209930652019-10-07T11:18:54.834-07:002019-10-07T11:18:54.834-07:00@Not O.K Also, I see nothing racist about people i...@Not O.K Also, I see nothing racist about people identifying ethnically as "Northern European" or Nordic or whatever. By allowing people to self identify we expose formerly "rigid" categories, that assume all groups are a monolith. It acknowledges our ancestors in the US come from all over our interconnected world. In addition, as we discussed when people can do a little reading about history of various regions. Or do a ancestry work or DNA digging, they may find out their monolithic ideas about heritage are actually more complex. <br /><br />KLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39018120361569677422019-10-07T11:00:40.267-07:002019-10-07T11:00:40.267-07:00" Sometimes I feel like one of those generic ..." Sometimes I feel like one of those generic brand cans from when I was young. I got the generic "White" label instead of a more interesting name brand with a cool logo."<br /><br />I would prefer the ability to check multiple boxes for all people, and also keeping a write in category as how people self-identify that might not fit neatly into a box. Of course this makes data really messy, but it would be more truthful IMO. I think data collection will often find people checking multiple boxes. <br /><br />"Black" is also problematic, as is the term African American. Some of my friends might identify with being Caribbean-American or Jamaican American, or partially Puerto Rican or Native American. <br /><br />Lately our politics is also pushing for the lumping all people who speak Spanish into a "Latino" category. People come from diverse heritages. Puerto Rican or Cuban is different than being Mexican-American. We do the same with lumping people into the Asian category. <br /><br />I also like that off-white comment. I am wondering how some of my dark skinned (but also white identifying) relatives feel these days with the use of the term "brown people". I have some pretty dark skinned relatives who are mistaken outside of their ethnic enclave for various people currently considered "brown" in the US. This is interesting and I guess would be studied in "whiteness studies". <br /><br />KL <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86205248311004975342019-10-07T10:11:13.685-07:002019-10-07T10:11:13.685-07:00So TCG and Chandra Hampson castigate me for claimi...So TCG and Chandra Hampson castigate me for claiming my one-quarter Mexican heritage. “Oh Melissa, you only use that when it suits you but you identify white.” As I have said in the past, family is complex. I don’t feel the need to explain it.<br /><br />( TCG is half-Mexican and doesn’t speak Spanish but she claims Latinx. That’s fine but don’t try to tell other people what they should consider themselves.)<br /><br />I always consider myself an American mongrel (for lack of a better word) and that makes me a real American. My kin come from several places and I am proud of each but I can’t identify with just one. Most of them are Western Europe. (My husband was Italian and so when you have that definite bloodline, you can say that). <br /><br />BUT, because my childhood was spent in a rural border town, overwhelming populated by Mexican-Americans, I DO consider my Mexican heritage. TCG asked if I ever interacted with the Mexican community. The town WAS that community. It was reflected in everything in the town. So yes, I do understand Mexican culture. <br /><br />I consider some of the talking about whiteness somewhat more about behaviors and cultural norms,than actual heritage. <br /><br />Not Ok, I like that “off-white” tag. It is an interesting thing -if you go to the paint store, I would guess that “white” has many more shades than almost any other color.<br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19738132741285424522019-10-07T09:16:02.989-07:002019-10-07T09:16:02.989-07:00@ KL, identify to whom??? "For example, inste...@ KL, identify to whom??? "For example, instead of identifying as white, why not recognize I am mostly mixed N European-American etc. Hypothetically for example, stating I had ancestors were from France, England etc." The only times I ever really "identify" as white are on forms where I have to check a box. The rest of the time I'm a complex person on the inside--but simple white (and thus, you know...) to casual outside observers like our ES head.<br /><br />"I had commented that it seemed odd to me that in places like Seattle, there are "white" people who seem to have no knowledge of their own ancestry. White is not a country." <br /><br />Really? You feel that Seattle whites are less knowledgeable about their ancestry than whites elsewhere? Why, because they look more white, or we don't have an Italian-American part of town? I'm pretty sure that Seattle whites are well aware that white isn't a country. That's a whole lot of ignorance you're ascribing to a large group of people. This is the problem with conversations like this. <br /><br />I understand your comment about skin color and whiteness in Seattle, but I really don't think the ethnicity piece is the solution. For one, I don't think you're going to get a bunch of light-skinned whites to start announcing they identify as "Northern European whites" because, frankly, it sounds racist. It sounds like you'd be trying to distance yourself from other whites who may have darker skin. Two, ethnicity and skin tone don't always match, as you pointed out in your example. If people are judging based on skin tone--which many probably are, I agree--then it's not so much ethnicity that's the issue. Third, I don't know that there really IS a solution to the issue you mentioned, that "In the west where some people identify as 'white' and don't identify with an ethnicity, [your] own ethnicity becomes invisible." Many white people don't really have an ethnic identity with which to identify even if they tried. For example, what would it even mean to an outside observer for someone to identify with their <i>23 and Me</i> "Broadly Northwestern European" with known but not detected Native American ancestry? <br /><br />Maybe we just need to lobby to change the federal categories such that, unless you can prove that ALL your ancestors, back however many generations, were 100% what we now categorize as white (per fed guidelines, "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa), then you instead check the box for a new category, "off-white."<br /><br />Don't know what else to say, other than it's all complicated, and that identifying as "white" should not always be seen by others as attempt to claim some "benefit" or distance oneself from others who might be, or appear, as less white. Often we don't have much to fall back on. Sometimes I feel like one of those generic brand cans from when I was young. I got the generic "White" label instead of a more interesting name brand with a cool logo. <br /><br />not okAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50410959141471564452019-10-07T07:51:04.981-07:002019-10-07T07:51:04.981-07:00@Not O.k I don't necessarily think you are gui...@Not O.k I don't necessarily think you are guilty of "cultural appropriation" in being cognizant of where your ancestors originated. For example, instead of identifying as white, why not recognize I am mostly mixed N European-American etc. Hypothetically for example, stating I had ancestors were from France, England etc. <br /><br />Also, with each generation in the US kids being born are descended from multiple heritages and cultures. I am wondering how TCG identifies as I hear her mother is "white". White would then be replaced with ethnic identification such as mixed Northern European-American. <br /><br />I had commented that it seemed odd to me that in places like Seattle, there are "white" people who seem to have no knowledge of their own ancestry. White is not a country. In the west where some people identify as "white" and don't identify with an ethnicity, my own ethnicity becomes invisible. In reality our heritage and relatives are diverse. A friend from NY who is the same ethnicity as me but was much darker skinned, felt discriminated against at times in Seattle, because being dark skinned they realized they were not viewed as "white". They were often mistaken as Latino or Middle Eastern in Seattle. I found this strange and started to recognize that in places like Seattle being "white" meant you look Northern European. In NY many people who identify as "white", along with their ethnicity, are much darker skinned. My parents also made a comment about not "fitting in" or feeling "as American" as the people in Seattle. I found that truly interesting as their parents were born elsewhere, but they were born in the US. <br /><br />KL Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43386834749840396472019-10-07T06:33:27.556-07:002019-10-07T06:33:27.556-07:00I was reading the RCW, and did not notice that dys...I was reading the RCW, and did not notice that dyslexia was a medical diagnosis in a Washington or other states.<br />Perhaps you could share your source?<br /><br /><br />RCW 28A.300.530<br />Individuals with dyslexia—Identification and instruction—Handbook—Reports.<br />(1) Within available resources, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the school districts that participated in the Lorraine Wojahn dyslexia pilot program, and with an international nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting efforts to provide appropriate identification of and instruction for individuals with dyslexia, shall:<br />(a) Develop an educator training program to enhance the reading, writing, and spelling skills of students with dyslexia. The training program must provide research-based, multisensory literacy intervention professional development in the areas of dyslexia and intervention implementation. The program shall be posted on the web site of the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The training program may be regionally delivered through the educational service districts. The educational service districts may seek assistance from the international nonprofit organization to deliver the training; and<br />(b) Develop a dyslexia handbook to be used as a reference for teachers and parents of students with dyslexia. The handbook shall be modeled after other state dyslexia handbooks, and shall include guidelines for school districts to follow as they identify and provide services for students with dyslexia. Additionally, the handbook shall provide school districts, and parents and guardians with information regarding the state's relevant statutes and their relation to federal special education laws. The handbook shall be posted on the web site of the office of the superintendent of public instruction.<br />(2) Beginning September 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, each educational service district shall report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction the number of individuals who participate in the training developed and offered by the educational service district. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report that information to the legislative education committees.<br /><br />https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/workgroups-committees/currently-meeting-workgroups/washington-state-dyslexia-advisory-council/about-dyslexia<br />Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72182619418098202502019-10-06T21:54:57.837-07:002019-10-06T21:54:57.837-07:00@ KL, maybe go back and reread my initial comments...@ KL, maybe go back and reread my initial comments on TCG's article, but reading from the perspective of a white person who comes from a long line of other different shades of white people, and who is quite aware that many of their ancestors likely faced hardships and some discrimination. Someone who also is quite aware that we're all more alike than we are different, and who doesn't need DNA results or genealogy research to understand that basic human fact. Someone who also can't doesn't have an ethnicity to latch onto, as many generations back have been pretty un-ethnically white. Someone maybe wishes they DID have more of a connection with a particular ethnic or cultural group, but who can't really claim it because it would be called appropriation. In this context, TCG essentially sees you as giving up your ethnic heritage for the benefits of whiteness, thus supporting white supremacy, yet you don't have an ethnic heritage to give up, and can't reclaim one from the past. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation, and it feels like she is not willing to understand why that sort of rhetoric doesn't sit well with some people. Broad claims like that hurt progress in building commonality, and all the DNA tests in the world won't change that.<br /><br />not okAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24021726341749542962019-10-06T09:26:26.879-07:002019-10-06T09:26:26.879-07:00Options and Jet City Mom:
Like it or not, dyslexia...Options and Jet City Mom:<br />Like it or not, dyslexia falls under Specific Learning Disabilities category of qualification under IDEA and Washington Law. You will most likely almost never see it mentioned in an IEP for now because it is a medical diagnosis unless that person has been diagnosed with dyslexia. Usually you will see SLD in reading. Schools cannot diagnose dyslexia (just as they cannot diagnose autism or ADHD). There are changes in Washington for screening beginning in 21-22 school year (glacial pace and long-overdue IMHO and way too much focus on screening and not enough on actual effective interventions so far). Schools will then be expected to use MTSS to address suspected dyslexia (ha!). This is an improvement that it will hopefully capture and offer some support sooner. Kids often get referred for OT services (letter writing) in K or 1st grade when the issue is often dyslexia and OT is the only service the student can access. IMHO school psychs have been way too slow to respond to early learning teacher concerns and say they have to wait until 2nd or 3rd grade to see enough concerns in reading to qualify for IEP SDI under SLD.<br /><br />You can learn more about what OSPI is rolling out here: https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/workgroups-committees/currently-meeting-workgroups/washington-state-dyslexia-advisory-council/about-dyslexia<br /><br />NW ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85057652297751623622019-10-05T15:18:54.141-07:002019-10-05T15:18:54.141-07:00Jet City Mom,
I have not heard a single board dir...Jet City Mom,<br /><br />I have not heard a single board director or administrator say the word "dyslexia". I have not seen the word "dyslexia" in the Strategic Plan.<br /><br />IMO, we're seeing another Pie in the Sky initiative. Costs have not been revealed. The district is now dipping into reserves to run the district. Dismantling HCC will require continued funding for professional development and teacher supports. We don't have these types of supports, now, I don't see that the district will fund these services in any meaningful way in the future.<br /><br />I've not seen a pilot WSS funding proposal.<br /><br />The two most vocal individuals pushing to dismantle HC are Geary and Juneau. Geary will be gone. I don't see Juneau sticking around to clean-up the mess ..in years to come, either.<br /><br />Optionsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28215074044666156632019-10-05T15:13:38.048-07:002019-10-05T15:13:38.048-07:00Just the Facts, I do think ethnic studies is diffe...Just the Facts, I do think ethnic studies is different from anti-racism education (but they may overlap in places).<br /><br />I know that Chandra Hampson has said she and Director Geary have been working on an anti-racist policy. I did query Director Geary about helping with this effort and noting that I believe it important for many voices to be part of the work. Geary agreed and said that there will be community outreach. So look for that.<br /><br />I think it’s going to take a lot of educating so people know what is being discussed and what the goal is BEFORE you can start the work of what change looks like. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.com