Stories of Racism

Recently, a colleague informed me about antisemitic slurs she was told by another co-worker. In June, the Howard County Police Department investigated racist signs that were seen in Ellicott City. Stickers with racist messages were attached to guardrails and poles on Centennial Lane between Glastonbury Road and Centennial Lane Elementary School. In March, I readContinue reading “Stories of Racism”

Covid and African American community

Experiencing Covid vaccinations disparities. within Howard County the access to vaccine was extremely limited for some members of the African American community. Limited access to technology and transportation. Fortunately members of health community identified the need and implemented programs to address the disparities. Mobile vaccine clinic to areas that needed the resources. African American pt’sContinue reading “Covid and African American community”

No follow-up

Our school staff were assigned to read The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education last year. Unfortunately, there were no students physically in school, so there were no opportunities to practice the lessons. There has been no follow-up this year. This lack of follow-up feels all too familiar. Our School Improvement Plan has AfricanContinue reading “No follow-up”

Neighbors

I witnessed a White neighbor being friendly and kind to Black neighbor, but when that White neighbor interacted with me, they said things about the Black neighbor that were negative. This made me sad, because my White neighbor knows how they should be acting and thinking, but they aren’t doing so with feeling. I wasContinue reading “Neighbors”

Distrust of the Medical System

At work, we have recently implement a COVID vaccine mandate for the team with medical and religious exemptions. This has sparked several conversations with team members, but the most impactful were those with team members of color and their expressed historical and systemic distrust of the medical community. This distrust is preventing them from feelingContinue reading “Distrust of the Medical System”

Heartwarming return

I had the pleasure of welcoming back a customer to the library that I haven’t seen for years because this black gentleman moved away for other opportunities. He was surprised that I remembered him even though he remembered me as a HCLS Instructor. I said to him that I remembered his kind eyes. Politely andContinue reading “Heartwarming return”

Marking Up and Taking Advantage

To Whom This May Concern: I have a bad case of housing discrimination at my apartment. My lease expires on December 19, 2021. I have a medical hardship situation where I need to move out early. I went to my current landlord, and asked for the cost to terminate my lease agreement. I was toldContinue reading “Marking Up and Taking Advantage”

Plant a Seed

As a children’s instructor I have the opportunity to teach a very diverse population. This opportunity provides me with a way to bridge commonalities between these populations through the content I share. It allows me to plant a seed of understanding and friendship in my classroom.