Judy Meikel
CEIO
New Haven, CT

"In the late 1990’s I became involved in the start up on a small k-8 progressive school in Connecticut. CT Core values of the school included community and equality. We welcomed people of color to our campus with enthusiasm and good intentions. We reached out to the local housing authority to offer full scholarships and students were referred to us. We purchased a school bus to assist with transportation to our remote location. It was confusing to all the white administration and teaching staff when we began to struggle with racial dynamics. I realize now there was no racial analysis, no framework for us to work within. The school community was designed as an alternative haven from the public school system but still replicated systemic racism and oppressed kids of color and their families.

Being well intentioned is not enough. A liberatory education has to be intentional and designed by people directly affected. "

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