Are politics too hot to handle as educators, parents and colleagues? I admit, it's been a tough week with the new Federal Administration and Executive Actions that threaten the values and priorities of me personally, those of the Council and of my organization. 

So do we shut down; unable to discuss these threats? Or do we engage in whatever way we can to build bridges and stand in solidarity with one another? Where do we find safety for these conversations - and - let's not forget that some of us have privilege in our white skin or citizenship that provides us more safety than others. What about for our peers, clients or students who feel increasingly threatened because they are Muslim or an Immigrant? Or that they may lose their health insurance and therefor lose access to the critical supports they get from you and your agency? And the list goes on.

This is why as a Council we have devoted time to how to counter hate as an individual, and how to foster a safe and welcoming climate for children and adults to thrive.  We read two articles on these topics at the last Council meeting with the notes and links shared here. 

For me, examining politics and policies that threaten the health of our community is an important conversation to have together. So how do we do it?  Here is a Washington Post article that really speaks to this need to build bridges and stand in solidarity with one another,  On this MLK Day, it's more important than ever to fight hate and bigotry by Cornell William Brooks and J onathan Greenblatt.