This comment is a treasure. Thank you for sharing. I taught in East Oakland and the Panthers’ legacy is still felt there.

I’m not white, but I am also not black. 20/24 of my students are black, though. The single biggest factors that have helped me grow as a teacher are:

It’s nice to something so genuinely joyful these days.

Didn’t the cops buy Dylann Roof Burger King after he murdered a bunch of innocent people?

That’s horrific. This was still happening well into living memory, it’s jarring to see people try to whitesplain it as “Well, she probably didn’t read the waiver.”

I am a teacher.

I’m from nearby Apple Valley and I concur. (Apple Valley is also a shithole.)

I remember that from Professor Blastoff! I thought I was imagining it.

Oh yeah, she went after me right out of the gate. It was bizarre, but seemed so random that I just avoided her. I had no idea it was her until yesterday. We never had a beef before. The whole thing was gross and she acted in complete bad faith.

lol ok but how will I know it’s you?!

Yes, I would like it explained to the whole communities (many of which are POC communities)in which these kind of honorifics are extremely important.

I can’t believe you needed to say this, and I hope you weren’t triggered too badly.

I meant the tonic, but probably both.

#3 almost certainly had opiates, cocaine, or both. Not even joking.

Because Canada.

You are a reasonable person.

I asked someone at a coffee shop nearby why the shelter hadn't changed its name yet and she looked at me like she didn't know what I was talking about.

It's been called the Glory Hole for years.

Exactly.

That sounds like the most uncomfortable thing ever. I mean, I would probably be more comfortable in an actual Klan rally because there would be less cognitive dissonance involved.