Yes! Yes! And yes! I agree with Ms. Brazile's essay 100%. As an educator, I have witnessed first hand how Black and Brown students are considered less than by teachers who don't look like them or grew up in different circumstances. But what I've seen in recent years is teachers of color, teachers who reflect the ethnicity of their students also making more and more excuses about their students. This is insane! All students have the capacity to learn and their personal experiences should be incorporated into the curriculum. Any time a Black or Brown teacher tries to supplement the district mandated curriculum or teach in a style that's not the style of the school, they're targeted and admin makes their professional lives miserable. I've seen it happen to so many Black and Brown teachers & older teachers. It's not right and makes other teachers less inclined to challenge the system. In addition, BPS had the resources 20 - 30 years ago to make sweeping changes in the district to improve academic outcomes for students of color. Why didn't it? Because there is money to made if you have some schools/students in your district underperforming. The problem is, in 2021, the majority of BPS schools are now underperforming. We are at red alert status. What will the district do about it?