1 00:00:06,300 --> 00:00:10,040 My name is Jocelyn Bravo. I am a member of the Humboldt County 2 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:11,400 Superintendent Student Council. 3 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:15,890 I go to Arcata High, and I am currently a senior there. 4 00:00:16,700 --> 00:00:20,320 Here we have Charron Blank, who works here at 5 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:23,740 HCOE, and Michael Davis Hughes, the county superintendent. 6 00:00:24,340 --> 00:00:27,560 Hello. Good to see you, Jocelyn. Good to see you, Charron. 7 00:00:28,940 --> 00:00:29,420 Very good. 8 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,700 Would you guys like to explain a little bit about your jobs and what you guys do 9 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:34,560 here at HCOE? 10 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:40,020 Yes. My name is Charron Blank, and I am the learning specialist for 11 00:00:40,140 --> 00:00:41,120 equity and inclusion. 12 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:45,960 It's a newer position, and I've been 13 00:00:46,020 --> 00:00:47,420 in this role for five years. 14 00:00:49,780 --> 00:00:53,620 My name is Michael Davis Hughes. I'm the county superintendent, and each of the 15 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,600 58 counties in California has a county superintendent, and I represent 16 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,460 Humboldt County. And my primary responsibility is 17 00:01:01,540 --> 00:01:03,940 for the County Office of Education and our 18 00:01:04,860 --> 00:01:08,180 380 employees. And we 19 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,240 serve the students in Humboldt County through our own programs, and then 20 00:01:12,320 --> 00:01:16,060 also through the 30 school districts and 15 charter 21 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,740 schools in Humboldt County. Each district has its own 22 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:23,420 superintendent that is responsible 23 00:01:23,500 --> 00:01:27,010 for their district. So even 24 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:31,000 though the county superintendent has oversight, 25 00:01:32,340 --> 00:01:35,580 I don't have the authority for the day-to-day 26 00:01:35,660 --> 00:01:38,480 operations of any one school or district. 27 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,460 So my primary role is one of support. 28 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:46,380 Thank you, guys. So basically, on the student council here at 29 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:50,120 HCOE, we have broken up into groups where we all are 30 00:01:50,180 --> 00:01:50,680 assigned 31 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:57,100 kind of like a genre, and my group project is 32 00:01:57,140 --> 00:01:59,260 focusing on safety and equity in schools. 33 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:03,620 And so I am here today to ask you guys some questions and 34 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,040 hear from some of your guys' experiences. 35 00:02:07,740 --> 00:02:11,620 So we can start off with the first question, and it is: Was 36 00:02:11,660 --> 00:02:13,940 racism ever an issue at your guys' school? 37 00:02:16,940 --> 00:02:19,180 And we're going to hear from you as well, right? 38 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:19,580 Yeah. 39 00:02:19,640 --> 00:02:22,620 So all three of us get to share our experiences. 40 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:26,600 So, I think context is 41 00:02:26,640 --> 00:02:27,300 important. 42 00:02:28,300 --> 00:02:31,920 For those that are hearing this, I'm a 43 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:34,660 61-year-old Black woman, and 44 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,840 I went to school in Phoenix and in Los 45 00:02:39,940 --> 00:02:43,900 Angeles. I 46 00:02:43,980 --> 00:02:47,820 don't remember racism being an issue in my 47 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:49,880 schools growing up in Los Angeles. 48 00:02:50,380 --> 00:02:51,260 It was a very 49 00:02:52,340 --> 00:02:53,200 mixed area 50 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:58,760 where I grew up. However, when I was thinking of 51 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:02,320 this podcast, one of the things that I remembered 52 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,820 was I was in the fourth grade the first time I was called the 53 00:03:06,900 --> 00:03:07,780 N-word at school, 54 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,620 and I remember it so distinctly because I didn't know what it 55 00:03:12,700 --> 00:03:16,640 meant, but I knew it was bad by the way the person said 56 00:03:16,700 --> 00:03:16,860 it. 57 00:03:17,740 --> 00:03:20,680 And I went to my mom and I'm like, "Mom, this was said to me. 58 00:03:20,780 --> 00:03:24,000 I don't know what it means." And she explained it to me. 59 00:03:24,140 --> 00:03:24,360 So, 60 00:03:26,260 --> 00:03:29,680 because I grew up in a place with so many people from different 61 00:03:29,780 --> 00:03:30,580 backgrounds, 62 00:03:33,300 --> 00:03:34,570 I don't really remember 63 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:36,150 any 64 00:03:37,100 --> 00:03:41,080 other issues like that, but that distinct one I remember when I 65 00:03:41,100 --> 00:03:41,760 was quite young. 66 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:46,100 Michael, how about your experience? 67 00:03:46,180 --> 00:03:50,040 Yeah. So I grew up in Wales in the United Kingdom, 68 00:03:50,700 --> 00:03:54,220 went to elementary school and secondary school or high 69 00:03:54,260 --> 00:03:57,820 school over there, and I also have no 70 00:03:57,900 --> 00:03:59,380 recollection of 71 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:02,540 issues around racism 72 00:04:04,020 --> 00:04:07,620 and racial remarks. I went to a very small 73 00:04:07,700 --> 00:04:11,549 school, so we all knew one another, both in 74 00:04:11,620 --> 00:04:13,280 elementary school and in high school. 75 00:04:13,340 --> 00:04:17,041 So no, it really was not something that came to my 76 00:04:18,101 --> 00:04:21,340 consciousness until much later in life. 77 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,659 Interesting. So I grew up here in Humboldt County. 78 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:27,180 I 79 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:33,300 went to Pacific Union growing up, and I went there from TK through eighth 80 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,160 grade, and then now I go to Arcata High. 81 00:04:36,170 --> 00:04:37,580 I would say, 82 00:04:39,300 --> 00:04:43,060 I feel like it was definitely taught 83 00:04:44,420 --> 00:04:44,940 and 84 00:04:47,900 --> 00:04:51,720 spoken about more. But I have seen 85 00:04:51,780 --> 00:04:55,240 certain instances of not 86 00:04:55,260 --> 00:04:58,700 necessarily straight racism, but definitely a lot of 87 00:04:58,720 --> 00:04:59,640 microaggressions. 88 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:04,580 There was an experience my freshman year at Arcata High, 89 00:05:04,700 --> 00:05:07,050 where that's where I learned what microaggression was, 90 00:05:08,180 --> 00:05:11,320 because we were basically in the quad of my school, 91 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,710 and an adult came over and started 92 00:05:16,220 --> 00:05:20,140 basically speaking to me and my friends in a 93 00:05:20,150 --> 00:05:23,580 mocking way in Spanish. And so we were just kind of thrown off 94 00:05:23,620 --> 00:05:24,230 because 95 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:27,320 it was not just 96 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,020 an adult that was an educator, it was 97 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:34,820 an adult who probably should've known better than that. 98 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:36,860 And so we were kind of just like, "Mm. 99 00:05:37,700 --> 00:05:39,120 How does he know we speak Spanish?" 100 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:44,260 We were just wondering what he was thinking, and why he would 101 00:05:45,460 --> 00:05:49,360 make that assumption. But then we ended up going and talking to 102 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:53,040 a teacher we trusted, and so basically she told us that that probably 103 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,460 wasn't very good. And so then we 104 00:05:56,900 --> 00:05:57,320 filled out, 105 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:01,940 it's basically a report form that we have at our school that you basically scan, 106 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:04,960 and so basically it takes you through this process 107 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:08,984 whereYou meet with the vice principal, and then 108 00:06:09,044 --> 00:06:11,084 they come up with a solution 109 00:06:12,164 --> 00:06:15,964 to make you feel most comfortable to receive 110 00:06:16,344 --> 00:06:18,704 an apology with. And so, 111 00:06:19,584 --> 00:06:23,044 a meeting ended up getting scheduled, and that adult did 112 00:06:23,104 --> 00:06:26,324 apologize, and we did make it known how we felt, 113 00:06:27,044 --> 00:06:30,494 and how that probably wasn't the best idea 114 00:06:31,124 --> 00:06:34,884 for him to do. And so, back to the 115 00:06:34,924 --> 00:06:36,144 question, I would say that 116 00:06:38,063 --> 00:06:38,324 it's 117 00:06:39,464 --> 00:06:42,324 more so microaggressions that I do see pretty often. 118 00:06:44,944 --> 00:06:46,304 From what you said, I think, 119 00:06:48,264 --> 00:06:52,144 Michael, I wonder if a piece of it, at least for me, of 120 00:06:52,204 --> 00:06:55,994 not recognizing it when I was younger is 121 00:06:56,664 --> 00:06:59,204 we didn't have the language that we have now. 122 00:06:59,284 --> 00:07:02,784 I was probably 40 years old before I heard the term 123 00:07:02,794 --> 00:07:06,584 microaggressions. So, I think when you have 124 00:07:06,644 --> 00:07:10,624 language for things, you can identify it, and then you can talk 125 00:07:10,704 --> 00:07:13,324 about it and engage in conversations with people. 126 00:07:13,344 --> 00:07:16,264 But if you don't have language for the thing, it makes it much 127 00:07:18,544 --> 00:07:20,384 harder to engage with it. 128 00:07:20,544 --> 00:07:20,684 Yeah. 129 00:07:22,444 --> 00:07:26,364 It's one of the things I'm so impressed with our students here, 130 00:07:27,724 --> 00:07:28,084 is 131 00:07:30,164 --> 00:07:33,784 being able to engage in 132 00:07:33,824 --> 00:07:37,604 conversations that 10 years ago weren't happening at 133 00:07:37,684 --> 00:07:39,164 all. And, 134 00:07:40,204 --> 00:07:43,804 it's impressive. It's impressive that our students can 135 00:07:43,884 --> 00:07:45,664 identify things and call it out. 136 00:07:46,884 --> 00:07:49,674 The bias reporting tool that you're talking about, 137 00:07:50,764 --> 00:07:54,424 I was part of the group that was in those conversations when it was being 138 00:07:54,444 --> 00:07:54,904 developed 139 00:07:56,044 --> 00:07:59,584 in your district. And it's good to hear that it's being 140 00:07:59,724 --> 00:08:00,124 used, 141 00:08:01,024 --> 00:08:04,564 because that's exactly why it was created, and it was created with 142 00:08:04,624 --> 00:08:08,544 students, really taking the lead to make sure that 143 00:08:08,584 --> 00:08:10,624 it was effective for your experiences. 144 00:08:12,104 --> 00:08:15,874 Yeah. I really think it's being more implemented in classrooms, and 145 00:08:15,924 --> 00:08:18,513 it's being more put out there, I guess. 146 00:08:18,604 --> 00:08:18,724 Mm-hmm. 147 00:08:18,734 --> 00:08:22,564 It's being advertised more. But I really think it's a great tool 148 00:08:22,644 --> 00:08:24,144 that kids are finding 149 00:08:25,244 --> 00:08:25,924 as a resource. 150 00:08:26,684 --> 00:08:26,694 Yeah. 151 00:08:26,724 --> 00:08:27,774 Justin, I'm wondering 152 00:08:28,784 --> 00:08:31,934 how you felt following that 153 00:08:33,884 --> 00:08:35,924 resolution or restoration- 154 00:08:36,564 --> 00:08:36,654 Mm-hmm 155 00:08:36,654 --> 00:08:40,004 ... how that apology for you and your friends. 156 00:08:40,044 --> 00:08:40,944 Did you feel 157 00:08:42,584 --> 00:08:43,194 safer 158 00:08:44,404 --> 00:08:47,904 within your school knowing that there 159 00:08:48,004 --> 00:08:51,904 was accountability for not 160 00:08:51,964 --> 00:08:53,724 just students, but for adults? 161 00:08:53,864 --> 00:08:54,044 Yeah. 162 00:08:55,384 --> 00:08:59,344 So obviously when it did happen, I was like, "I don't know how public 163 00:08:59,384 --> 00:09:02,924 schools are putting this out and wanting to be 164 00:09:03,804 --> 00:09:07,204 very inclusive and 165 00:09:07,264 --> 00:09:09,644 really promoting like, 'Oh, yeah. 166 00:09:10,024 --> 00:09:13,424 We should all be friends.' But then we have adults 167 00:09:13,504 --> 00:09:17,224 doing this." I think, me and my two other 168 00:09:17,284 --> 00:09:19,444 friends did feel like we kind of 169 00:09:21,124 --> 00:09:23,804 felt like outsiders a little bit within the school. 170 00:09:23,844 --> 00:09:27,544 And we were like, "Well, how is this supposed to make us feel more 171 00:09:27,644 --> 00:09:28,184 included?" 172 00:09:29,464 --> 00:09:30,424 But I do think that the 173 00:09:32,884 --> 00:09:36,853 apology and the accountability the person took really made us feel like 174 00:09:36,884 --> 00:09:39,024 we kind of had a voice. It 175 00:09:41,044 --> 00:09:44,904 gave us that closure that there's other people who are paying attention and who 176 00:09:44,944 --> 00:09:45,424 do care. 177 00:09:47,764 --> 00:09:51,324 Part of the conversations when that tool was being 178 00:09:51,384 --> 00:09:55,144 developed was students saying that they would have something 179 00:09:55,204 --> 00:09:57,904 happen and they might mention it to 180 00:09:59,124 --> 00:10:00,504 an administrator or a teacher, 181 00:10:01,804 --> 00:10:04,824 but then it would disappear. It's like they never knew what happened, if anything 182 00:10:04,864 --> 00:10:05,364 happened. 183 00:10:06,364 --> 00:10:10,224 There wasn't any explicit, "This is how this is going to work." And 184 00:10:10,344 --> 00:10:14,324 one of the things that tool was supposed to address was to make a really 185 00:10:14,364 --> 00:10:18,044 explicit path so that this is where you go when it happens, 186 00:10:18,124 --> 00:10:21,664 and these are the steps that are going to take place. 187 00:10:24,383 --> 00:10:27,323 Yeah, so people have a place to go and know that it's going to be taken 188 00:10:27,364 --> 00:10:28,444 seriously. 189 00:10:28,464 --> 00:10:28,584 Mm-hmm. 190 00:10:29,844 --> 00:10:33,784 Yeah. And I think your district might be one of the only districts 191 00:10:33,824 --> 00:10:34,024 that 192 00:10:34,924 --> 00:10:37,244 worked on something like that and has it implemented. 193 00:10:37,724 --> 00:10:41,504 Yeah. I think it was developed really nicely because after you do file 194 00:10:41,624 --> 00:10:45,604 that incident report, there is a follow-up, and then there's a little 195 00:10:45,644 --> 00:10:48,044 questionnaire on how you would like 196 00:10:48,924 --> 00:10:52,524 that justice for yourself. 197 00:10:52,584 --> 00:10:52,773 Mm-hmm. 198 00:10:55,324 --> 00:10:58,624 Honestly, I would say it was a little bit uncomfortable. 199 00:11:00,224 --> 00:11:03,584 But it is good to hold people accountable- 200 00:11:03,764 --> 00:11:03,773 Mm-hmm 201 00:11:03,773 --> 00:11:06,384 ... because that's how people learn from their mistakes. 202 00:11:09,324 --> 00:11:11,424 So, I have another question for you guys. 203 00:11:12,544 --> 00:11:16,064 I would say, how do you think educators navigate 204 00:11:17,344 --> 00:11:17,964 racism? 205 00:11:22,224 --> 00:11:23,544 I'm happy to start on that. 206 00:11:26,044 --> 00:11:26,864 I think that 207 00:11:27,904 --> 00:11:31,024 even as adults, maybe especially as adults, 208 00:11:32,044 --> 00:11:34,584 we have a lot to learn about 209 00:11:35,664 --> 00:11:38,604 the language around racism and the behaviors around 210 00:11:38,644 --> 00:11:42,144 racism. I think that there's a reluctance, 211 00:11:43,104 --> 00:11:44,574 as adults, to talk about it, 212 00:11:46,144 --> 00:11:50,084 because we don't want to make mistakes, or there's a tendency 213 00:11:50,124 --> 00:11:53,984 to avoid conversations where one is 214 00:11:54,024 --> 00:11:56,604 afraid to say the wrong thing. 215 00:11:58,104 --> 00:12:01,784 And I think one of the most powerful tools to 216 00:12:01,794 --> 00:12:03,944 address that is knowledge, 217 00:12:05,164 --> 00:12:06,964 information, and learning, 218 00:12:08,064 --> 00:12:08,744 so that you 219 00:12:09,644 --> 00:12:13,340 can feel that it'sThat it's okay 220 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:16,560 to make mistakes and learn from them. 221 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:20,280 I think the worst thing that we can do as adults, and the worst thing that we can 222 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:21,440 model for students, 223 00:12:22,260 --> 00:12:26,020 is to avoid or ignore issues around 224 00:12:26,060 --> 00:12:29,990 racism when we see them because we don't feel like we know 225 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:30,990 what to do with them. 226 00:12:32,300 --> 00:12:34,840 We have to confront those issues, 227 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,620 but what's the right way of doing it? 228 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:42,540 And I think that's where things around professional development or 229 00:12:42,620 --> 00:12:46,069 training for adults can be 230 00:12:46,180 --> 00:12:47,340 really helpful. 231 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,760 I've certainly been 232 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:56,360 informed about situations where there's been an incident in a 233 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:57,060 school, 234 00:12:58,000 --> 00:12:59,580 and it was 235 00:13:01,260 --> 00:13:01,900 ignored, 236 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:06,420 or steps weren't taken that could've been taken 237 00:13:06,500 --> 00:13:07,560 because partially, 238 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:10,280 the person that 239 00:13:12,540 --> 00:13:15,320 saw what occurred or heard about what occurred didn't 240 00:13:16,220 --> 00:13:19,200 have the tools to be able to address it 241 00:13:20,380 --> 00:13:21,960 in a way that they felt comfortable. 242 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:23,380 So, 243 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:29,070 yeah, I think that that's an area that we are continually 244 00:13:29,070 --> 00:13:29,980 needing to work on. 245 00:13:33,060 --> 00:13:34,480 Could you say the question again, friend? 246 00:13:34,900 --> 00:13:38,160 How do you think educators navigate racism? 247 00:13:41,020 --> 00:13:41,540 I think, 248 00:13:43,380 --> 00:13:46,600 from what I've heard from students, 249 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:50,560 is that what they need is adults to 250 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:52,920 interrupt it, to say something. 251 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:55,280 And what I've found 252 00:13:56,140 --> 00:13:56,520 in 253 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:01,640 my time working with educators is that there tends to be a 254 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:02,199 real 255 00:14:03,660 --> 00:14:05,460 fear around doing it wrong. 256 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:09,520 And 257 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,290 we forget, I think, as adults, when we do something 258 00:14:14,420 --> 00:14:16,520 new, it's going to be messy. 259 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:21,160 Learning is messy. When you learn something new, it's messy. 260 00:14:21,300 --> 00:14:22,919 It's part of the definition of learning. 261 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:25,700 And I think having 262 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,640 a realization that it's more important to take 263 00:14:31,740 --> 00:14:34,800 action than to wait to do it extremely 264 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,810 well, it's more important to interrupt behavior that 265 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:42,269 is harmful to students in the moment than to do it 266 00:14:42,300 --> 00:14:46,209 well, is important. That's what 267 00:14:46,209 --> 00:14:49,640 students constantly tell me and what I hear. 268 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:51,160 And 269 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,680 I think, as adults, we 270 00:14:55,180 --> 00:14:56,080 need to 271 00:14:57,180 --> 00:15:01,060 be comfortable and find our way of 272 00:15:01,100 --> 00:15:04,300 doing things messy. 273 00:15:04,860 --> 00:15:07,560 Saying, "It's like this is the first time I've done this, so 274 00:15:08,820 --> 00:15:12,360 yes, it could've been better, and it's more important that I actually take action," 275 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:14,620 that's really important. 276 00:15:15,460 --> 00:15:17,570 So, just interrupting it, saying, "Nope. 277 00:15:18,060 --> 00:15:20,739 We're not doing that here. We're not doing that in front of me. 278 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:24,630 We don't talk to people that way." It's like whatever language you have, use what 279 00:15:24,660 --> 00:15:25,860 you have, and then 280 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,560 you can always learn more and do it better, but just start where you 281 00:15:30,660 --> 00:15:33,100 start. I think that's important. 282 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:33,740 Yeah. 283 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:37,020 And I think also that, as adults, understanding 284 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,840 impact to the individual who is feeling 285 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:42,420 this way- 286 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:42,660 Yeah 287 00:15:42,940 --> 00:15:46,380 ... rather than how you're feeling about it, because your experience is going to be 288 00:15:46,500 --> 00:15:47,300 very different- 289 00:15:47,460 --> 00:15:47,590 Mm-hmm 290 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,280 ... than the experience of the person who it has impacted. 291 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:52,560 So, having 292 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:56,980 that viewpoint of right, these may not be words 293 00:15:57,940 --> 00:16:01,500 that are hurtful to me or that I think 294 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:06,260 should be hurtful to the person that heard them, or it was directed 295 00:16:06,300 --> 00:16:08,600 towards, but it's not about me as an adult. 296 00:16:09,100 --> 00:16:12,450 It's about the impact to that student and 297 00:16:12,820 --> 00:16:14,160 how they received it. 298 00:16:15,230 --> 00:16:19,180 And we need to help them from that perspective, not from our perspective. 299 00:16:20,860 --> 00:16:23,880 I think that's a very good mindset that every teacher should have. 300 00:16:24,740 --> 00:16:26,720 But I think as a student, I think 301 00:16:26,980 --> 00:16:30,780 it really depends on the educator 302 00:16:30,820 --> 00:16:34,640 and how they navigate it. There's definitely teachers who 303 00:16:35,340 --> 00:16:39,100 feel more 304 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:39,740 strongly 305 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:43,240 connected to that because of maybe their ethnicity. 306 00:16:43,980 --> 00:16:46,820 I do have a really great Spanish teacher, 307 00:16:48,100 --> 00:16:50,000 who if she sees something, she will 308 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:54,920 call it out really quickly and make those kids feel 309 00:16:55,940 --> 00:16:56,780 protected in a way. 310 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,980 But I do see how there are some educators who 311 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,990 are maybe afraid to do something wrong and who maybe just, 312 00:17:07,100 --> 00:17:10,480 I don't want to say sweep it under the rug, but kind of want to avoid 313 00:17:10,540 --> 00:17:14,190 it. But I do think it really depends 314 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:16,580 on who and how they're navigating it. 315 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:17,600 Mm-hmm. 316 00:17:17,921 --> 00:17:18,100 Yeah. 317 00:17:20,700 --> 00:17:23,120 Do you guys think there are any repercussions 318 00:17:24,060 --> 00:17:25,940 with racism in schools? 319 00:17:29,860 --> 00:17:32,100 Do you mean in terms of accountability or 320 00:17:32,580 --> 00:17:34,510 consequences for 321 00:17:35,740 --> 00:17:38,780 individuals that are displaying 322 00:17:39,340 --> 00:17:39,960 racism? 323 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:40,880 Yes. 324 00:17:41,140 --> 00:17:41,380 Okay. 325 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:46,940 Because there's no doubt that there are implications 326 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:50,920 when racist actions or words 327 00:17:50,980 --> 00:17:54,530 are used. But as far as consequences, 328 00:17:55,380 --> 00:17:59,280 Sharron, what have you experienced in working with the schools that you 329 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:00,140 work with in your role? 330 00:18:01,020 --> 00:18:03,700 There's a range of experiences. 331 00:18:06,140 --> 00:18:09,700 I think that the reporting 332 00:18:09,710 --> 00:18:13,330 tool that your district uses is really helpful because 333 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:14,720 it collects the 334 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:18,612 informationAnd I think 335 00:18:18,632 --> 00:18:22,182 that's really important, having a record of what's occurring and if it's occurring 336 00:18:22,192 --> 00:18:26,042 more or less. If it's occurring in certain places 337 00:18:26,072 --> 00:18:28,552 or times of day, that kind of data is really helpful. 338 00:18:29,452 --> 00:18:33,182 I think there are things that we can do that would make it 339 00:18:33,212 --> 00:18:36,772 better, and I think there's lots of layers to it. 340 00:18:37,052 --> 00:18:37,282 Mm-hmm. 341 00:18:37,992 --> 00:18:41,452 When I talk to 342 00:18:41,512 --> 00:18:42,712 schools about, 343 00:18:44,312 --> 00:18:48,062 say, the use of the N word, one of the things I bring up is 344 00:18:48,672 --> 00:18:52,552 the curriculum, and it's like, well, when do you talk about 345 00:18:52,572 --> 00:18:55,932 Black people other than February and Dr. 346 00:18:56,212 --> 00:18:59,752 King's birthday? The more we can 347 00:19:00,172 --> 00:19:03,932 bring the fullness of human beings into the curriculum and into our 348 00:19:03,952 --> 00:19:05,302 day-to-day education, 349 00:19:06,192 --> 00:19:09,592 I think that decreases the likelihood that that would be 350 00:19:09,652 --> 00:19:13,542 accepted. It's like the environment isn't accepting 351 00:19:13,592 --> 00:19:15,012 that kind of language and behavior. 352 00:19:16,682 --> 00:19:20,612 I think that really focusing on what we 353 00:19:20,652 --> 00:19:23,112 do as adults first is really important, 354 00:19:24,472 --> 00:19:25,062 and then 355 00:19:26,392 --> 00:19:30,232 us as adults and how we treat each other, how we behave, the curriculum we 356 00:19:30,372 --> 00:19:30,712 use, 357 00:19:32,032 --> 00:19:35,512 how we speak about people and groups of people, and then 358 00:19:37,092 --> 00:19:39,972 support students, I think is the direction to go. 359 00:19:40,132 --> 00:19:43,852 I think we're really quick to correct students 360 00:19:43,972 --> 00:19:47,052 before really addressing what we adults have more control 361 00:19:47,092 --> 00:19:48,712 over. 362 00:19:51,052 --> 00:19:54,902 I think that in regard to repercussions, the first 363 00:19:54,932 --> 00:19:58,672 thing that may come to mind is consequences, 364 00:19:59,652 --> 00:20:03,152 for students, what discipline might be for that. 365 00:20:04,192 --> 00:20:05,032 And I think there's been a 366 00:20:05,852 --> 00:20:08,472 needed emphasis over the past decade 367 00:20:08,632 --> 00:20:12,552 on if someone is harmed, how do 368 00:20:12,592 --> 00:20:16,232 you repair the harm and restore the relationship, 369 00:20:16,932 --> 00:20:17,692 not just 370 00:20:19,112 --> 00:20:22,112 how you're going to be punished for doing the wrong thing, right? 371 00:20:22,192 --> 00:20:25,972 Because that has consequences for the person who's 372 00:20:26,012 --> 00:20:27,352 receiving the punishment, 373 00:20:28,192 --> 00:20:31,942 but it does nothing to repair the harm that was 374 00:20:31,992 --> 00:20:34,572 done. And I think that the 375 00:20:35,132 --> 00:20:38,552 training and the 376 00:20:38,632 --> 00:20:42,262 involvement of students and adults in 377 00:20:42,272 --> 00:20:45,712 restorative practices when harm is done 378 00:20:46,512 --> 00:20:49,992 is a very positive thing in terms of 379 00:20:50,812 --> 00:20:52,892 relationship building and maintaining. 380 00:20:53,892 --> 00:20:56,592 Mm-hmm. Yeah. I do feel 381 00:20:57,852 --> 00:21:01,772 students in our school do feel like there aren't 382 00:21:01,832 --> 00:21:05,812 enough repercussions in situations like this, and I think that that's why 383 00:21:05,832 --> 00:21:09,472 they don't feel like anything really happens if they do 384 00:21:09,492 --> 00:21:12,902 report it. But I think Arcata High and 385 00:21:13,392 --> 00:21:17,192 McKinleyville High do a very good job with that because like Michael said, 386 00:21:17,532 --> 00:21:21,492 it focuses more on how we can address the 387 00:21:21,532 --> 00:21:23,852 situation and all aspects of it, not just 388 00:21:26,032 --> 00:21:29,732 what punishment whoever's in the wrong will receive. 389 00:21:31,412 --> 00:21:35,212 How would you guys describe your high school experience 390 00:21:35,412 --> 00:21:37,052 as your ethnicity? 391 00:21:43,092 --> 00:21:45,492 I grew up in LA. I went to 392 00:21:46,652 --> 00:21:50,292 LA High, and I graduated from Immaculate Heart, 393 00:21:50,572 --> 00:21:51,132 and 394 00:21:52,692 --> 00:21:56,612 I hung out with a bunch of other Black girls, and it 395 00:21:56,692 --> 00:21:57,152 was great. 396 00:21:58,932 --> 00:21:59,912 It was really great. 397 00:22:02,972 --> 00:22:05,902 Well, I did not hang out with a group of- 398 00:22:05,902 --> 00:22:06,832 Bunch of Black girls? 399 00:22:07,922 --> 00:22:07,942 ... Black girls. 400 00:22:07,972 --> 00:22:08,502 In Wales? 401 00:22:09,072 --> 00:22:09,652 In Wales. 402 00:22:09,952 --> 00:22:11,792 That would be a different story, Michael. 403 00:22:14,632 --> 00:22:18,152 However, I share the experience of my school 404 00:22:18,212 --> 00:22:22,002 experience was great, and I think it was because of the relationships that I 405 00:22:22,112 --> 00:22:25,992 had with my peers. The students that I went to 406 00:22:26,072 --> 00:22:30,002 school with all the way from elementary, kindergarten, all the way through 407 00:22:30,032 --> 00:22:30,822 12th grade, I 408 00:22:31,912 --> 00:22:35,732 became the person I am because of the relationships with them. 409 00:22:36,052 --> 00:22:39,122 We leaned on one another. We learned from one another. 410 00:22:39,951 --> 00:22:39,961 I 411 00:22:42,032 --> 00:22:45,712 look back on it now, and I'm just so grateful. Yeah. It was fantastic. 412 00:22:46,312 --> 00:22:49,812 Yeah. I would say my experience was really good. 413 00:22:49,872 --> 00:22:50,772 I think 414 00:22:52,132 --> 00:22:52,602 my 415 00:22:53,712 --> 00:22:57,272 elementary school definitely tied into kind of my 416 00:22:57,312 --> 00:22:57,812 childhood, 417 00:22:58,752 --> 00:23:02,542 because we did really all grow up together since Pacific Union is 418 00:23:02,612 --> 00:23:03,152 a K through 419 00:23:04,372 --> 00:23:04,692 eighth. 420 00:23:07,432 --> 00:23:08,132 I would say 421 00:23:09,852 --> 00:23:11,092 as a Hispanic, 422 00:23:12,252 --> 00:23:15,912 I would say that I think I had a very good experience because 423 00:23:15,922 --> 00:23:18,032 that school has a lot of diversity. 424 00:23:18,072 --> 00:23:21,712 You do get kids of all backgrounds. 425 00:23:23,932 --> 00:23:27,072 It's also just a very inclusive school. 426 00:23:27,312 --> 00:23:28,412 I felt very welcomed. 427 00:23:29,252 --> 00:23:32,521 And I do feel like 428 00:23:33,832 --> 00:23:37,792 that could have been the best school for me because there's so much to 429 00:23:37,832 --> 00:23:39,072 do, and there's just so 430 00:23:40,092 --> 00:23:43,152 much you can get involved in with all of your 431 00:23:43,192 --> 00:23:44,792 peers. I would say 432 00:23:45,632 --> 00:23:47,132 my experience was definitely good. 433 00:23:47,972 --> 00:23:48,732 That's good to hear. 434 00:23:50,392 --> 00:23:54,072 And I think that concludes our questions for today. Mm-hmm. 435 00:23:54,592 --> 00:23:58,312 Thank you guys, Sharone and Michael Davies-Hughes, for 436 00:23:58,352 --> 00:24:02,292 taking the time to be here today. I want to say that 437 00:24:02,432 --> 00:24:05,912 I'm very grateful for the opportunity to not only be 438 00:24:05,992 --> 00:24:09,392 here filming this podcast and 439 00:24:10,272 --> 00:24:12,892 hearing from your guys' experience, 440 00:24:13,712 --> 00:24:13,992 but 441 00:24:14,892 --> 00:24:18,832 also very grateful that I get to be a part of the 442 00:24:18,872 --> 00:24:22,452 Humboldt County Superintendent Student Council because it really gives me an 443 00:24:22,492 --> 00:24:24,232 opportunity to 444 00:24:25,292 --> 00:24:29,272 advocate and speak up and address some of the issues that are going on 445 00:24:29,692 --> 00:24:30,552 within our schools. 446 00:24:32,332 --> 00:24:35,252 And yeah, I'm just very happy to be on 447 00:24:36,492 --> 00:24:40,292 the student council for my second year now. 448 00:24:41,172 --> 00:24:42,432 We're very happy to have you. 449 00:24:43,592 --> 00:24:45,162 And your colleagues, your- 450 00:24:46,152 --> 00:24:47,512 Yeah ... other fellow students. Yeah. 451 00:24:47,752 --> 00:24:51,252 I think we have a really good team and 452 00:24:51,292 --> 00:24:54,972 group of students from all of the 453 00:24:55,012 --> 00:24:58,192 different schools and even including the charters. 454 00:24:58,332 --> 00:25:01,252 I think that we have a very good student council 455 00:25:02,012 --> 00:25:03,132 with lots of input. 456 00:25:04,712 --> 00:25:05,132 Beautiful. 457 00:25:06,072 --> 00:25:06,852 That was the idea.