By Megan McDonell, Border Crossers Board Member

I recently heard that an organization called Water for People was asking people to write about individuals in the community who are changing the world in some way. I, of course, immediately thought of the amazing Executive Director of Border Crossers, Jaime-Jin Lewis. As a volunteer and now Board member, I’ve had the immense pleasure of working with and getting to know Jaime-Jin over the years and was so excited to interview her for this project. She is incredibly smart and passionate about her work, as well as just a very genuine, lovely person to be around. I asked Jaime-Jin about the workshops themselves, her plans for the organization, and her hopes for education equity/racial justice in general. And of course I threw in a few fun questions too. Here’s what she had to say!

What is one of the most often-cited takeaways from the “Talking About Race” workshops?
People often tell me that our workshops give them a safe space to talk about their own experiences with race and racism in a way that society does not often afford. I believe that if we do not make space for these conversations, we will not be able to find solutions. In fact, injustices in the classroom are often perpetuated in silenced moments, when we don’t know what to say and don’t have practice taking action. Participants say that our workshops give them the tools and practice working through these moments.

Teachers role-playing tough scenarios at a Columbia University workshop

What is one of the most memorable moments from a Border Crossers workshop?
In one of our workshops last year, a veteran educator got to share an incident that happened to her over 15 years earlier. She didn’t think there was anything she could have done and hadn’t shared the incident with anyone. In the workshop, she was able to share her scenario, have her experience validated, and find strategies she could use if situations like this arose in the future. She told us she felt like a burden she had been carrying around had been lifted.

Teachers enjoying a Border Crossers workshop

Even though I’m not an educator, I got a lot out of the workshop–especially learning about my own white privilege and ways I didn’t realize racial inequity still existed. Do you think this type of workshop is something everyone could benefit from and why?
We live in a world where racism is woven into the fabric of our culture and institutions in ways that we often don’t even see. Teachers are in a unique situation because they are in a position to perpetuate or interrupt society’s biases and inequities within their classroom. They determine who graduates, who goes to the principal’s office, who’s labeled with a learning disability, and so on. Yes, it is absolutely necessary that everyone understand the role of race privilege and power in their own lives, but it’s especially important for teachers to do this work in order to create more equitable schools.

Workshop at the IDEAL School of Manhattan

Kids doing some yoga at the Earth Day Celebration last year

Border Crossers staff and Board receiving a City Council Proclamation

Jaime-Jin and the 2012 Spring Gala Honorees

Workshop at the Convent of the Sacred Heart at 91st Street

Presenting at the Convent of the Sacred Heart

Music class at one of the Border Crossers’ Partner Schools

By Nicole Murphy

I had the pleasure of joining Border Crossers as they kicked off the very first Book Club session this February with The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. The book is a unique twist of biographical and autobiographical narrative crafted by former White House Fellow, Army Veteran and Rhodes Scholar, Westly Moore!

The book compares the life trajectory of the author with that of a young man of the same age and birthplace, also named Wes Moore. Though the men share commonalities in their backgrounds, they appear in newspaper headlines in the same week- with one Wes receiving a Rhodes Scholarship and the other Wes receiving a conviction of murder and a life sentence without parole.

“The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his.”

Moore paints a vivid picture of each man’s journey, leaving it to the reader to explore and analyze why and how these two passionate and capable individuals found themselves worlds apart.

Through lively discussion, and a collection of creative, thought provoking activities led by BC Program Director and book club facilitator, J’nelle Chelune, we found ourselves often focused on breaking down the many factors that contributed to the divergence of these two men’s pathways. Through exploring the differences and similarities of each Wes’ lives, we discussed of how factors of race and class affect young black men in America. As educators and social justice advocates, our conversations frequently landed upon our roles in dismantling the inequities that place young men like Wes Moore on disparate ground from the beginning of their lives. What can we do? How can we do it?

Come join our conversation! Border Crossers is always seeking passionate voices to connect with our community! If you are excited to discuss race, racism, youth and education, enjoy eating delicious snacks and participating in fun, engaging activities, then please keep an eye out for our next book and meeting date or email bookclub at bordercrossers dot org. We’d love to see you there!

Here is a repost of the text:

5 Myths of Talking About Race With Your Child

By Jaime-Jin Lewis (Original Post)

I get a lot of mixed feedback when I say that adults need to learn to speak openly about race with young children. They are afraid of spoiling their childhood or crushing their natural curiosities. However, when we look at the root causes of racial inequity in this country, we see that they grow out of the lessons we learn in our earliest years. In fact, honest conversations about race have a positive impact on children, honoring their observations and lived experiences, and better preparing them to recognize and undo social injustice in their lives. Then, why don’t we do it more?

The truth is that most of us adults have incomplete and competing ideas about the role of race in our own lives. Young children’s comments often illuminate the uncomfortable gap between our good intentions and the thorny truths of the world.

In my experience over the past two years facilitating  Border Crossers‘  ”Talking About Race With K-5″ workshops and seminars, I have had the opportunity to share struggles, dissect scenarios, analyze the institutions around us, and offer support in developing and implementing concrete tools and strategies with over 400 educators, activists and parents. I have learned a tremendous amount from each of them.

Over and over, I hear the same excuses for why adults don’t have conversations about race with children. In this article, I dissect five common myths of talking about race with children and offer a few simple sentence starters that help reframe the approach.

1. 1. “Children don’t see race.”

Research shows us that children do, in fact, see race. They are never “colorblind.” Onestudy revealed that infants recognize racial differences between three and six months of age. Dr. Phyllis Katz’s research (as cited in “See Baby Discriminate” ) shows that by three years white children exhibit an overwhelming preference for same-race friends. By age five, 68% of children sort decks of cards of people’s faces by race over any other indicator. The infamous doll test originally performed by Kenneth and Mamie Clark and repeated most recently by CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 shows that pre-k and kindergarten-aged children express racial biases that remain with them through adulthood.

To be clear, the purpose of this research is not to figure out if your child is a racist or not. The intention is to debunk the colorblind myth and frame an approach to interrupting these troubling patterns.

Here’s something you can try:
Instead of saying, “We are all the same.”
Try making connections saying, “Race is one of the beautiful things that makes us different, but I know that the color of our skin does not mean someone is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ or ‘nice’ or ‘mean.’”

1. 2. “Talking about race creates racist thinking.”

Our country still has a race problem that permeates our culture (resource), plagues our institutions (resource), and affects individuals (resource). We know that children absorb these messages without our help. Not talking about race actually allows stereotypes and generalizations to go unchecked.

Here’s something you can try if a child brings up a comment about race:
Instead of saying, “Race isn’t something we talk about.”
Try getting more information by asking, “That’s a good comment. What makes you say that? This is something that I’m interested in talking about with you.”

1. 3. “Exposure to diversity is enough.”

Dr. Birgitte Vittrup performed a study with 100 families in Texas (also in “See Baby Discriminate” ) that found that mere exposure to peers of other races or reading multicultural books is not enough to counter the development of bias in children; they must be accompanied by conversations about race. These conversations about race should reflect an honest acknowledgement of systemic inequalities but seek to engage the child in enacting solutions.

Here’s something you can try:
Instead of saying, “We’re all equal.”
Try saying, “We’re all equal here. But sometimes in the world, people are treated differently based on the color of their skin. What are things we can do to make sure that doesn’t happen in our home?”

1. 4. “My child said something racist, therefore I must be a bad parent.”

Racism is a powerful system that affects individuals and institutions. Children are steeped in this culture from birth and it should come as no surprise when they ask a question or make a comment about race that gives us pause. Too often I see parents get caught up in feeling guilty for things that their child has said, rather than seizing the opportunity to have a deeper conversation that examines the source of the comment. This guilt also prevents them from seeking out the support of peers who can bring expertise and insights to the situation.

Here’s something you can try with other parents:
Instead of saying, “My child said something so horrible I can’t even repeat it.”
Try saying, “I think my child is beginning to notice inequalities in society. She said ______. Has your child ever said anything like this? What did you do about it?”

1. 5. “I don’t have all the answers.”

This is a true statement, but not a reason to not talk about race with children. It’s okay to say that you don’t know what you don’t know. It’s okay to ask for more time to think before answering a question. It’s okay to take these conversations slowly. Framing tough questions from your child as “teachable race moments” opens up opportunities for your own growth and development as a parent and a citizen.

Here’s something you can try when your child asks a tough question about race:
Instead of saying nothing and avoiding the conversation.
Try saying: “That is something adults haven’t even figured out. Let’s learn about it together.”

Make no mistake about it, these conversations will always be tough, uncomfortable and test the very fabric of our character. When we know children are not “colorblind,” that explicit conversations about race are healthy and necessary, and that it’s okay not to have all the answers, it’s easier to be brave and talk about race.

Border Crossers believes that each teacher has a unique opportunity to nurture students’ understanding of identity and difference.

Educators who are equipped to have meaningful conversations about race then can:

• More effectively incorporate antibias curriculum
• Successfully implement diversity programs, and
• Contribute to a schoolwide culture of respect and inclusion

Border Crossers invites you to participate in an exciting day of professional development for teachers seeking tools and language to talk about race and equity with students.

This is not a lecture or a presentation – we use interactive theater and adult learning techniques to collectively discuss the role of race in our lives, share personal experiences of critical moments with students, develop strategies for confidently and effectively entering into conversations about race in the classroom and practice what to say when tough situations arise.

Join us for a drink and learn how to make Border Crossers’ Annual Event a smashing success by joining our Host Committee! At this fun, informal gathering you will learn more about the organization and the Host Committee and meet other enthusiastic volunteers. The first drink is on us and SideBAR has generously agreed to extend their Happy Hour specials for our party. Put on your PR hat, invite your friends, and come help us raise money for a great cause!

When: Monday, March 21 from 6-8pm
Where: SideBar (120 East 15th Street at Irving Place)
Who: YOU! and your friends!
How: Reserve your spot right now below!

A Little Background:
Border Crossers is small non-profit organization that empowers young children from different backgrounds to be leaders of social change in their schools and communities. Although we are grassroots, we have a well-established Annual Event that consists of an evening of drinks and light food with a silent auction and a small award ceremony highlighting leaders in the education justice field. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, May 17th from 6-9pm at COLORS Restaurant and we are aiming to sell 200-250 tickets. We need your help to make this event a success.

The Host Committee:
Being a Host Committee member does not require much time, but you will play an integral role in helping Border Crossers raise the funds necessary to ensure quality programming for the upcoming year. The main responsibilities of Host Committee members include:

1. Pledge to purchase your own ticket at a price level that is personally challenging (tickets range from $50-$1,500.)
2. Generate excitement around the event to your friends, family, colleagues, etc. Each Host Committee member should aim to sell 10 tickets (but you don’t have to stop there).

Contact:

If you would like to learn more about the Host Committee, but cannot attend the Recruitment Happy Hour, please contact Jaime-Jin Lewis at jaimejin@bordercrossers.org or (646) 688-4470.

Thank you in advance for supporting Border Crossers to bring together more students to take action in their community. We look forward to working with you to plan an unforgettable event!

Warmly,
Jaime-Jin

Don’t miss this year’s Annual Event + Auction on Tuesday, May 17 from 6-9pm at COLORS restaurant. Come enjoy a glass of wine, bid on some Auction items, honor the recipients of the 2nd Annual Border Crossers Award, and learn how you can join the Border Crossers movement! For more information, contact: Jaime-Jin Lewis at jaimejin@bordercrossers.org.

Congrats to Ms. Klingman’s (Gateway) and Ms. Lewis’ (PS 191) classes who participated in their first Meet Up today after writing and exchanging Pen Pal letters over the course of the past week.

The theme of the first Border Crossers exchange and Meet Up is identity. The students composed “I Am From” poems based on the poem by George Ella Lyon, identifying characteristics that make them unique. At the Meet-Up, they used these poems as a springboard for conversations about similarities and differences.

Below are only three of the many wonderful poems that were composed!

It is an exciting time to be a part of Border Crossers! We are systematizing our programs, operations and outreach; we are examining Border Crossers’ mission under the microscope and  challenging our programs to intentionally and effectively address the real needs of New York’s schools and students.

We are just beginning this ongoing process, but we are already seeing exciting results. This week alone we had seven Border Crossers events — three classrooms began their BC partnership, three classrooms (enthusiastically) received letters from their BC Pen Pals, an d one classroom participated in a workshop with a BC Community Partner.

As always, we would love your feedback on both the Matching Gift campaign and our upcoming programs. Let us know what we’re doing well and what we can improve!

THANK YOU!

It was inspiring to hear from Calhoun students how the green roof started when parents and students identified the need to create more green space at the school and after working together for two years the roof was born! I hope this story also motivated the Hudson Honors students about leading their own school garden project, as the P.S. 191 students were excited by the rooftop garden.

It would be fantastic to harness the students’ enthusiasm into more ongoing exchanges. I heard talk of a possible spring visit (to see the roof in bloom!)

by Kesha Young, Director of Programs

After almost eight months of hard work, we are very proud to announce the release of our new website. It is designed to be a tool for you to learn about Border Crossers, see schools we’re currently working in, explore Border Crossers’ unique curriculum, and find out ways you can be involved in empowering young people to be change makers–border crossers–in their schools and communities!

We’re always looking for feedback. Whether you like something or want to see more of something, let us know! Thank you for your continued support and come visit us again soon!

Warmly,
Border Crossers