Creating The Future We Desire

 

Volume 21

As we conclude Black History Month and begin Women's History Month, I thought it was the perfect time to dedicate this issue to Constance Baker Motley. Often overlooked, Motley was the first Black woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court and serve as a federal judge. She was instrumental in many of the civil rights movement's most important legal victories, including Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

When she told her parents and others in her community that she aspired to be a lawyer, they all thought that she was crazy. Constance "rejected the notion that [her] race or sex would bar [her] success in life” and throughout her career, she stood up for those who could not and fought tirelessly for justice and equality. She did all of this while being a mother and enduring racism, sexism, and threats of violence. Constance never let society's limited beliefs stop her from creating the future she desired. She reflected, “Something which we think is impossible now is not impossible in another decade.”

The best way to truly honor Constance Baker Motley is to not just share her story, but actually build upon it. We are facing insurmountable obstacles in education, but we’re quickly seeing, what we thought impossible, is quickly turning possible. Across the nation, we’re seeing technology being integrated more effectively into every aspect of learning and teaching, and AI/ChatGPT has the potential to accelerate it faster than we even thought possible.

I’ll leave you with this question to reflect upon: what have you assumed will never change in education and how can you think beyond them to create a more equitable and just educational system that respects, uplifts, and celebrates all voices in both teaching and learning?

Take care,

 
 
 

PS: If you are inspired to learn more about Constance Baker Motley, check out this book (it made Time’s 100 best reads in 2022 and was written by Porter’s high school classmate) or listen to this podcast about the book.

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[BONUS]

Don’t miss this feel-good story of a daughter who with one TikTok video got over 15 million views and instantly turned her father’s 11-year-old book into a best-seller. #StoneMaidens #BringTheKleenex