This Week Reading of "Other People Children" By Lisa Delpit
The author, Lisa Delpit, argues that in discussions about the education of marginalized students, the voices and experiences of educators of color are often dismissed or silenced by those in positions of power, particularly white educators.
I think Delpit is right on pointing out how certain voices
dominate conversations about education since this is something that happens too
often, people that possess the privilege assume they know what’s best for
others, even when they have little direct experience in those communities or
about the topic in general. It’s frustrating that knowledge is only respected acknowledged
when it comes from the “right” sources based on their own standards and those
are usually those with only degrees or research, rather than people who
actually live the reality being discussed. This isn’t a problem that occurs
just in education but in many areas where marginalized groups struggle to be
heard. Important decisions about schools, teaching, and policies are often made
without real consideration from the communities they affect most which leads to
keeping power in the hands of the same people that are causing the problem. The
issue isn’t just about who makes the decisions, but whose knowledge is
considered valuable. When teachers of color speak from experience, they are
often ignored or seen as “too emotional,” for exactly having whats actually
needing for the research ‘experience’ while white researchers who are studying
the same communities without no experience on the matter are treated as
experts.
Instead of assuming they know best, people with privilege
should step back and truly listen. But real listening isn’t just staying quiet it
means respecting and acting on what is being said. It requires asking whose
voices are missing and making space for those voices to lead. Too often,
privileged people pretend to listen but still push their own ideas forward.
Real listening means being open to discomfort, questioning assumptions, and
giving up control. The goal shouldn’t be to “fix” communities from the outside,
but to trust and support the people already doing the work. Change will only
happen when those in power recognize their biases, share decision-making power,
and understand that expertise doesn’t just come from books it comes from lived
experience.
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