Rashawn Caruthers

Uncommon Voices 2021

Q: Why is now the time, and what do we “double-down” on to leverage this moment to take strides for long-lasting change?

We are living in a moment where everyone is forced to see the inequities experienced by traditionally underserved populations. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many more forced us to reexamine our views not only on race, but how race is being represented, or not, in our education system. In addition, children being out of school due to coronavirus also made it glaringly obvious that all children are not receiving an equitable education. 

Inequity doesn’t affect just one generation, but many. When children are given, or not given, resources and support based on their zip codes, the trajectory of how successful their family can be is affected for years to decades. We must make real change. We must create an economy that works for everyone. These are all of our children, and it’s our job to ensure that all of the children are well. They don’t have to look like us, act like us, or learn like us to ensure that they are more successful than us. The children get it and are willing to engage in real world learning and build networks with their peers and adults. It is our job to create the space and the opportunities that allow their genius to come through.

The pandemic gave us an unprecedented opportunity to leverage this moment to make lasting change. We were forced to pivot because we had no other choice. We were forced to put the infrastructures in place that allowed children to learn in a different way. We have proven that we can act with a sense of urgency and that we can collectively make positive changes. Let’s build on that momentum and not return to normal. For over a year we showed children how to create learning environments that were personalized to them. While the stay-at-home method didn’t work for all, the learner-centered method was seen and welcomed by all stakeholders. 

Q: For real systems change to happen, how must perspectives, and how we approach the economy and education, shift to meet the needs of an inclusive, equitable economy?

For real change to happen, we must look internally at what shifts we can make to identify where we’re not being learner-centered and what is causing equity gaps. We must note whose voices aren’t being heard and, more importantly, whose voices aren’t even in the room. We must look at our own network and see if we’re only surrounded by people who look like us, live like us, and think like us.

It’s hard to speak to an experience that we haven’t had, but it’s not hard to engage people who have had different experiences and build upon those to create equity. If we don’t shift our perspectives and continue to teach and engage based on factors that don’t matter, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and future generations. How can we create an inclusive economy using outdated and inequitable practices?

Q: Where do you find hope in the work, conversations, and sifts you see happening, and how does that shape your thinking?

All is not lost. I recently heard students from Hickman Mills and Liberty high schools talk about how meaningful their learning experiences are when they get to collaborate with peers that think differently than they do. They appreciated being able to pursue their interests and have a global connection to the real world. I also recently saw students at Basehor-Linwood and Notre Dame de Sion high schools changing their community through building a park, helping their peers with social and emotional advocacy and by connecting with refugees that need help finding a place to belong. These are just a few of the real-world learning examples that are happening in the Kansas City region because of an increased focus on equity.

Through real-world experiences, students are able to create connections that may have not been possible, barriers are removed, and students get to see what’s possible before leaving high school.

Equity is not a buzz word, a meme or an education trend that will come and go. No longer can we ignore the manufactured differences that are put in place to make one group feel more superior than others. No one loses when equitable practices are upheld, but everyone loses when they’re not.

Inspiration curation: Share who or what you look to for inspiration.

People are tired of having to fight for basic resources and opportunities that should be available to everyone. If you need to see what equity looks like in real time, follow Nikole Hannah-Jones or Shaun King, or read Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Joy DeGruy to understand the reasons why some feel the inequities; or go talk to any high school student in the Kansas City region. 

We are all the same. It’s time to act like it.

“I have learned that the world beyond the fence is full of human beings as diverse as the stars, each waiting to be recognized and named and loved by me.  I have learned that life is for loving and love is for living and dying is for letting go.” – Catherine Garland

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