ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 global pandemic and uprisings around the country protesting racial violence have made teaching, already one of the most difficult jobs, more unreasonable and unsustainable. At the same time, the authors have seen that education can change on a dime when they think it is a life or death matter. Racism is life or death. Movements for racial justice are now starting to face a new round of pushback. As always happens, the pendulum is starting to swing back, as they see states taking up legislation to address what teachers can and cannot say about race in their classrooms. This pattern is not new, but it adds a layer of complexity. The fear is real. White people will pounce on each other if they make a mistake and can be unforgiving around issues of race.
