A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TRAINER
A profoundly consequential demographic change is underway in the United States – one we can call,
for the sake of simplicity, the browning of America. In my estimation, how we collectively respond to this change is the most important decision our society faces in the 21st century. As an early learning coach, I step into that future on a daily basis. This demographic shift is already a “fact on the ground” amongst the youngest segment of our population.
Many of us welcome increasing racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity, locally and nationally. I agree with SamhitaMukhopadhyay that when the “minority” population is no longer such, so that “‘white culture’ is no longer that relevant, it’s not the culture, but a sub-culture,” the potential certainly exists for a more vibrant, inclusive society. However, stubborn disparities still dominate the present moment. A dystopian reading of our short to medium term situation is all too plausible. What if increasing economic inequality, coupled with continued white dominance of power structures, means that an ever larger share of children will actually be doomed to a poor start in life and discouraging future prospects?
Diversity, power, and privilege are intimately entwined in the world of young children and their families. Children are our most important natural resource. The future of even the most privileged white Americans depends on whether our society properly prioritizes the first years of life for all children – not just well off white children. I remain mildly encouraged that early learning isone of the few areas of public focus and spending that still enjoys some genuine bipartisan support. Perhaps politicians will accept, even embrace, the obvious: increasing diversity is the hallmark of this century.
What we need to do is not so hard to figure out: invest (substantially) in early childhood
education teachers and programs, and in parents. Investing early pays handsome dividends. All I am asking this country, and each of us, is to behave as though every new human is an unprecedented and irreproducible opportunity for our species, one to be cherished and assisted rather than neglected or thwarted.
What is the alternative? Look around you. Our society is already practicing what Geoffrey Canada calls “malign neglect” of many of our young. The one inexcusable failure is the needless wasting of a new human being’s potential. Our duty, both as citizens and ethical humans, is to stop imposing demographic life sentences on any of our children. It should shame us that the zip code into which you are born or brought can so reliably predict your future.
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We are in exactly the right place to do our part to fix this mess. Let those of us in the early learning field remind ourselves every day to act as though each child in our orbit were our own daughter or son, nephew or niece, grandchild or godchild. Let us remember that each of these young citizens of our society and species must be readied to navigate and embrace a world in which cultural competency will be essential. Let us see clearly, and actaccordingly.
-Mike Kasprzak