I am not a regular LT user and so apologies, I can’t figure out how to respond directly to this morning’s thread, but wanted to add to the discussion.
I value the discussion and debate in the LT community, and appreciate the sentiments expressed around that. At the same time, I think virtual forums can allow us to be more hurtful and lacking in empathy than we would be in other in-person discussions, and I think we have to guard against that. Statements that are personally hurtful should not be allowed here. In that vein, I think calling out any Boston resident parent of our school community as "not a Lincoln parent" is hurtful, especially in the context of this person making such a generous commitment to our shared school community. We know our Boston resident students and families experience less belonging in our school and town communities, and this impacts their daily experiences and outcomes. These sorts of statements move us in the wrong direction. Yes, every parent brings their own perspective. And, I think we should all recognize that for many, many years in our decision-making, the Boston resident community has been under-represented. And, that this is a community that it is particularly important to design for, in the context of the data we have on belonging in our district. I know many of us are grappling with how to reckon with the ongoing structural racism and other forms of institutionalized privilege around us. Beginning to over-represent those that have been historically underrepresented seems like a great way to start. Kristen Ferris Sent from my iPhone -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.