“The role of writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.” 

– Anaïs Nin

Reading some old blog entries of mine, I ran across Nin’s quote. It triggered some further reflection I’d started earlier this week on Twitter. What a powerful statement. Speaking the undiscussable is the role of the writer, Nin suggests. Of course, Nin might also mean, say what is unspeakable, taboo, and/or hard to articulate for most people since it requires a greater command of language. 

People avoid those because it can threaten their livelihood. It was only recently I saw a colleague shut down on Twitter, making his Tweets private, unviewable by his employer. And who hasn’t heard of others persecuted by far right groups because they are trying to be their most authentic selves?

From my position of white privilege, for I do enjoy it, even as someone of Latino heritage, I can celebrate that I do have the freedom to blog, if infrequently, about what some are unable to say.

What’s OK To Blog?

Finding and sharing edtech resources and instructional strategies is so much fun. One thing that I notice I do, like others, is adopt a certain voice appropriate for the topic. 

“The best way to win an argument,” says Dale Carnegie, “is to avoid it.” Educators avoid tough topics. Our goal isn’t to be divisive, but to educate. It’s not to step on landmines, but to teach others how to construct them, er, take them apart, avoid them, to have productive lives. I wouldn’t dream of silencing opinion or free expression. Not only is it wrong, it’s un-American. It’s not kind. 

Throughout history, and in our present, there are those who are afraid of truth. That it will make them look bad. Or, that THEIR perspective, out of sync with those in power, will invite retaliation. 

But you still have an obligation to raise a topic for discussion. Others may make the final decision about it, and sometimes, they may be wrong (or you are). Sometimes, they are right (and you are, too). 

Avoiding “bloodshed” in the context of educational blogging is prudent, yes. But avoiding all controversy? No. Invite reflection & critical inquiry. Serve as a catalyst to propel our collective thinking forward. As an #edtech thought leader I expect nothing less from you 🙂 Source: Wes Fryer Tweet

What you start thinking during the day, springs forward at night. One idea triggers another.

Triggering Ideas

Crucial conversations are on my mind because I wrote a blog entry earlier this week about them. For schools and educators that work in them, what obligation do external organizations and bloggers have to raise tough topics? 

According to the authors, a crucial conversation is defined as “A discussion between two or more people where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong.” via Athlos Academies

One of my ideas a few weeks ago was to gather resources for teaching transgender students. I was a bit bummed that I missed the scoop. Cult of Pedagogy‘s Jennifer Gonzalez beat me to the punch (well, she’s written quite a bit, and done an amazing job). Kudos to her. 

Providing education resources is what many of us are here for, and teachers who work to meet the needs of students is important. It’s like translation services for children who speak a language no computer can translate well yet. You find a way to solve the problem because it’s children who suffer without it.

Jennifer makes this point:

…it’s not just other students who create this hostile climate for their LGBTQ peers. Over half of the more than 10,000 students surveyed reported hearing biased remarks from school staff, and school staff often fail to intervene when they hear these remarks at school.

I’m not sure why folks enjoy condemning, damning to perdition, those who have little control over who and what they are. Especially when we’re dealing with children.  

Supporting Transgender Students

I didn’t know much about transgender kids or what educating and caring for them entails. Reading up on it, the topic is complex and involves expert medical opinions. Why would someone try to get in the way of medical experts and their treatment of children? That doesn’t make much sense.

That made it a topic I needed to learn more about as an edublogger. My goal wasn’t to find a controversy, but to learn more about, and write about that experience, then share it online. 

That might have an unintended consequence, right? The Governor of Texas might say, “No, no, we’re not discussing that and teachers shouldn’t be using those resources in schools.” One has only to look at #fREADom campaign to see more examples.

I was reflecting on a conversation yesterday about what topics are OK to blog, which are too hot to handle. Silence affirms the oppressor…it is not the quiet bystander that deters an assault, but the one who steps forward and gets their nose bloodied in the aid of others. (Source: A Tweet)

As an educator, I don’t really care what a politician says. Nor do I care if he likes me when I say something that he doesn’t like. What’s more, I don’t give a hoot about those in schools and organizations who say, “Let’s keep our mouths shut about topics that are controversial because that might mean we won’t get funding for XYZ.” Anyone who has to gerrymander Texas to stay in office is clearly chicken offal.

Aside: You know, I suspect this disdain for politicians comes from my Panamanian upbringing, and I inherited my contempt for politicans and kiss-ups from my grandparents and activist relatives in Santiago de Veraguas. As an American citizen more up to date on history of how America got to be the Land of the Free, I am a bit more critical now, less accepting of the myths of this part of my heritage.

Hot Topics

These topics continue to be harped on, probably since it’s an election year. I still remember watching the Huffines campaign ad, a bit like watching a train car pile up. You can see it online.

You are probably already familiar with book banning and now transgender issues (source: Texas Tribune):

Transgender Texas kids are terrified after governor orders that parents be investigated for child abuse

Some experts doubt that classifying gender-affirming care as child abuse would hold up in court, but families still feel targeted by Gov. Greg Abbott’s new order

I disagree with how Texas politicians have dealt with critical topics, such as masks and COVID-19. Now, book banning and transgender kids. There’s a whole list of hot topics we need to make a list of. In fact, how would you rate yourself on this report card?

A Texas judge issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday that blocked the state’s child-welfare agency from investigating a couple for child abuse because they provided gender-affirming medical care to their teenage daughter. (Source: USA Today)

A Hot Topics Report Card

Take a look at your employer, as well as your own publications and news sources, and ask yourself some questions like:

• Where do they stand on these topics?
• Have they stepped up to do the right thing and stand for or against a particular perspective?
• Why or why not? Are they afraid of losing money/funding so they stay quiet?
• Afraid of the appearance of controversy?
• Are they educators who think the old way of staying neutral and hunkering down is the best policy? 

Some professionals point out that some topics are best left un-blogged. 

Like Nin, the role of the writer or edublogger isn’t to simply tout new and exciting tools and ideas. It’s to dig deep and ask, “Why can’t we address the undiscussables?”

“How many undiscussables would this team discuss if this team could discuss undiscussables?” That question, put to the top team at a manufacturer of high-end office equipment by an outside consultant, could probably be asked of many executive teams that are afraid of issues considered too hot to handle. (source: Morning Manager)

Let’s take a look at the items on this rubric. How would YOUR education organization (e.g. school), media publication score? Do you have the guts to write about these topics or will you remain silent and wait and see how this plays out?

• Books for Diverse Students (No Book Banning)
• Culturally Responsive Teaching
• Cybersecurity Practices
• Digital Equity
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs
• edTPA Teacher Certification
• Hostile Takeovers of School Board 
• Mandatory Masking for Students and Staff
• Protecting Children of Immigrants in Schools
• Separation of Church and State
• Teaching Actual History of Black and Indigenous Peoples
• Transgender and Gender Affirming