Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

On June 30, 2018, the School Reform Commission voted to dissolve. Many educators, parents, and organizers were joyful at this monumental win. It signaled the end of state control for the School District of Philadelphia. And then the creation of a locally controlled school board started. It eventually included students but gave them no vote. At first, it appeared as if a variety of applications were being seen, it almost appeared as if something different would occur.  It resulted in some new faces and some who had been on the SRC. You can read here the very first school board meeting details. The format of the meetings, the speakers attempting to be on the record, a litany of Sunshine Act violations (thank you Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools - APPS), and Superintendent Hite always having the final word, the growing list of working with outside vendors for basic and unnecessary needs, and the simple presence of democracy rendered invisible. I soon realized that this looked...

 So after Biden announced his VP pick, a divide happened. Everyone started to critique the political record of Harris and the reason she may have been selected. Some African-Americans were joyous about her being the first African American VP pick. Some were not because they had questions about her record as a DA, AG, and Senator. And the questions and concerns are valid because there is lots there to mine and consider. Many questioned and wished for Abrams. And could not help but notice the presence of Colorism in the conversation. And African-Americans have the right to question and disagree. You know why? Because contrary to what everyone believes, Black people are NOT A MONOLITH! We do not think and breathe the same on every issue, problem, politician, or situation.  But something that Black women do is VOTE...in...every...election...in...high...numbers. So if you are reading a critique or a compliment written by a Black woman about Harris or former President Obama or any B...

Each summer, the summer book series. brings an opportunity to discuss something new and interesting, but even more, it is an opportunity to connect the world of education to other parts of life. Housing issues. Art. Activism. History. Black feminism. Having conversations with fellow educators and parents. This summer I selected Looking for Lorraine because I am fascinated by Lorraine Hansberry and her life is now on full display thanks to the expertise and pristine research of Imani Perry. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in seeing how Blackness, socialism, communism, theater, writing, music, Chicago, New York City, housing laws, racism, womanhood, friendship, James Baldwin, Nina Simone, gender, and sexuality intersect and combine. Then this is the book for you. Before I share the words from some of the participants, I want to speak about Ms. Rosita. Ms. Rosita joined us on Day 2 and she brought such an amazing breadth of history with her. She is a retired Philadelphia P...

As I sit and catch up on the stack of magazines I have let pile up due to being busy and often overwhelmed, I keep hearing the same term when it comes to race and racism. Segregation. The ills of segregation and the light of integration. The truth is we have never achieved equitable and anti-racist integration. But we have tried time and time again to achieve the popular anti-black version, which is why it fails or works without a court order. This is not a rehash of the history that we all know. So if you are seeking that just research the actual case and the briefs written famously by Justice Warren to defend its passing (which were very anti-black). This is an observation of a reality that very few of us speak about in public spaces. The case itself was considered a "win" for the NAACP. But for Black educators in the south, it meant the loss of work and forced migration to northern cities that quickly placed them on the Colored teaching list. And resulted in long stint...

Here is the good news. The School District of Philadelphia officially endorsed and will support Black Lives Matter Week of Action - Philly, which is now a part of the National Black Lives Matter at School. The work that went into this becoming a reality should be applauded and celebrated. But when I heard it, my stomach instantly sank. Because I knew it was a symbolic gesture devoid of what it actually means to fully support Black Lives. I know that the School District of Philadelphia lacks the moral will to fully realize what it looks and feels like to make sure that Black Lives Matter.  Over 100 speakers were ready to speak at the Philadelphia School Board meeting this past Thursday. Many of them were rejecting the reopening plan. Many spoke to the dangers of placing students and staff in such uncertain conditions. Many highlighted what the district still has not done to remedy the current toxicity of the buildings that include unsafe levels of asbestos, unmaintained HVAC filte...

Today we are in the midst of a national and global pandemic that we have never seen at this scale. It has highlighted constitutional law, which provides states local control with federal oversight. Checks and balances. We have also received lots of myths and dangerous information that can lead to more harm or simply embolden us to not pay attention to the CDC and WHO. For the last month, most of America has been on a home quarantine, practicing  social distancing, and safety precautions that include hand washing, protective masks, and limited public interaction. So I ask today, who will we be after COVID? What will be? And how will history remember this pandemic? In the midst of talks regarding states reopening by May 1. The pros and the cons of that. There is an opportunity for us to do what’s right for all of us or just some of us. There is an opportunity to put people before profits and creature comforts. There is an opportunity to create a new normal that doesn’t ignore our...

I am convinced that movie critics who are often white, do not get The Photograph and they may never get it so please do not let it keep you from seeing it. This movie is unapologetic Black Love, Black Joy, and Blackness. From the soundtrack that features Al Green to Luther Vandross, you know the songs that many of us used to have on a mixtape. Or if you are younger, the songs that you were probably conceived to during senior prom or college. Why does Kendrick make us feel guilty? Drake makes us feel like he is our cousin? And we just worry about Kanye...since his mom died. These memorable moments are just the surface. This is a story that I have been waiting to see my entire life. I have seen it in my actual life and in the lives of my melanated friends, but never onscreen or onstage. I have never seen a mother show her love for her daughter by being, "An arc of a woman." I have never seen a Black woman be complex in her need, her wants, her desires, and her art while raisi...