Humanity is capable so so much more evil than I ever assumed. We are too susceptible to propaganda and give in to confirmation bais even when we don't intend to. We have been gaslighted.
Last week was Juneteenth, and as I attempted to clumsily explain its importance to my seven-year-old son he got emotional because he was afraid that when his auntie (she is Black) learns about Juneteenth (he assumed this was a new concept to everyone), she would be mad at him because he is white. He felt white shame within minutes of learning about Juneteenth and all I could say to reassure him was, "we know better and we won't be like people who had slaves." I don't know when or how to share what I've learned in Module 1 with my tender-hearted kid.
The part of Module 1 that sticks out to me the most is the gasoline baths and how we still use fear and "public health concerns" to justify cruelty. Public health is a real thing and we have bastardized it to hurt others. I don't want this to make me less responsible regarding the current coronavirus crisis, and I empathise with my students/friends who are a part of broad demographics that are reported to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
