Episode 24: Pause to Ponder - Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.  I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal, and an educational consultant.

This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.

In this reflection, I consider how we seem to be stuck in a seemingly never ending cycle of battling systems of oppression. How is it possible that after so many years and with so much reform, we are still having the same conversations? Well maybe that's part of the problem. We need to move beyond simply having conversations, of talking about ideal situations and the forces that preventing that from becoming a reality. Maybe we need to stop waiting for someone else to save us and to instead take targeted and intentional action. 

Listen as I share examples from history that have resurfaced in today's society and my call to speak up and act out. Afterall, nothing changes if nothing changes.