Author: nlbunner

Today, at 12:01 am, I resigned from my position as the school social worker at the charter school I have been employed with since 2017. My resignation was submitted with resignation. I hadn’t planned on leaving just yet. With the pandemic hitting hard in the fourth quarter of the 19-20 school year, I felt the overwhelming urge to be there for our students when they finally returned back to school. Knowing the significant challenges some of our kids’ experience – homelessness, hunger, child abuse and neglect, abject poverty – I felt that they needed to see familiar faces and know that they remained important enough to us that we continued to show up.

In the three years I worked there, I gave it my best effort to be a positive, affirming part of the academic environment. Understanding that social work can be intensive and filled with critical moments, I initiated and maintained collaborative work relationships that carried us through some pretty rough days. There were many opportunities to grow in this position and, boy, did I! I learned the indisputable power of Safe Space. Children spend so much of their days feeling unsafe, whether it is because of academic struggles, social/relational skill issues, and/or emotional/cognitive/mental delays. Being able to come into a physical space and breathe, without worrying about what someone would think was paramount to some kids’ daily success. I learned the infinite value that trauma-informed social work brought into the educational environment. My student/social worker connections were healthy and consistent; even students with chronic emotional and behavioral struggles gravitated towards me when in crisis. They knew that we would work on their troubles together, safely, and with respect. I love these students and respect the educators that instructed them. We made a good team…

Must all Good Things Really Come to an End?

In the time I spent working in this school setting, there were many instances that required me to step into the role of the advocate. Whether it was ensuring that students’ rights remained protected or requesting additional resources to help a child who struggled with making it through the school day, I was willing to champion them. As expected, there were times when it was met with resistance. I heard statements like, “I just want to make sure that we are all on the same page.” when I provided resources to a parent whose child faced stringent consequences. Still, I leaned in and advocated my heart out for my students. It didn’t make me popular but it set the precedent that I would do my job with integrity.

As a licensed social worker, I serve from the perspective of six key values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of a human being, importance of human relationships, competence and integrity. In this position, these values were challenged regularly. I remember my clinical supervisor asking me, during a session, “Do you think that you can maintain your integrity in this position?” And, although I answered yes, without hesitation, I remember reflecting on our discourse later that evening. I remember thinking, “so far, you have been able to maintain integrity while doing the work. But, what happens if it could cost you your job?” Little did I know that it would be part of the ultimate test of my career.

You Put a WHAT in my Office??

Mid-February, I walked into my office and placed my items on my desk. I quickly realized that there was a fine film of sheetrock dust on my desk. On my chair. On the floor. It was EVERYWHERE. I frantically looked around to see what could have caused such a mess. As I glanced up, I realized that there was a security camera. In my office. What in the world was it doing there?? I beelined to my direct supervisor and wanted to know what, when, how, who…I was so full of questions! And I was immediately filled with dread because I knew that a recording device in the therapeutic space was only allowed in the strictest of circumstances and this wasn’t it. After requesting a meeting with the school administration, I did what I thought was prudent – I reported the additional limitation of confidentiality to my licensing board. Why? For two reasons; one, I wanted to be proactive in alerting the board instead of someone informing the board about me. Two, I wanted to make sure I was not misunderstanding the law. After a series of meetings during which educators attempted to explain the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act to me while I explain, using the same laws, why I would be in violation, I was informed that the expectation remained that I continue to see children in my office, their safe space, with an active camera. It was also decided that I was not to obtain written informed consent that included the additional limitation of confidentiality. I was totally blown away. I didn’t understand the reticence, the entrenched refusal to even consider viable solutions to the issue. Even after receiving feedback from the social work board that supported my understanding of my legal and ethical expectations, the school’s stance did not change. I was ultimately told that the camera would remain in my office and that I could not obtain informed written consent from the parents regarding it. My choices were: comply or resign.

Can You Maintain Integrity in this Position?

I battled for solutions, friends. I really did. I loved the work. I loved my students. I wanted to be there when they showed up for school in August, overwhelmed and out of sorts. I wanted to be a part of an effective team that worked together harmoniously, putting the kids first. But, it became clear that it was not going to work out that way. Instead of collaborating on a viable solution (I had offered three and was open to options), I had been iced out, and then, targeted. The intimidation, the games, the coercion; it was in full effect. I could feel myself sinking deeper into anxiety. I knew that I was not going to back down from my request that they reconsider their stance and remove the camera. The students needed a safe space in the building to simply BE when struggling through the day. However, I quickly realized that this argument fell on deaf ears. Finally, when the actual legal and ethical standards that govern my profession was met with an ultimatum, I had to make a choice: will I bow to demands that violate the rights of the students and the social work profession or do I walk away?

Under duress, I decided to walk away. The question had been answered. No, I could no longer maintain my integrity in this position, as is. The position no longer allowed space for me to do so. And, as much as I love and will miss the students, I understand that I cannot do the work with integrity while submitting to illegal practices. As hurtful and demeaning as the experience was, I knew that I was able to practice social work with the honesty that is required in an effective social worker. My goal, upon accepting the position, was to leave the position in a better place than I left it. And, by the amazing responses of my coworkers throughout the day, I truly believe that I did.

Could you imagine how significant this season is for the Church? As chaos and turmoil heighten into civil unrest, members of our community have been appointed (and, hopefully, anointed) to provide spiritual guidance to so many who are searching for answers. Our expectations are for them to provide us with the perfect exploration of the complex, multilayered topic of race and fix everything. We want them to have all the answers and we want those answers to take away our responsibility to do the hard work towards racial restoration. Our humanity struggles with the humanness of our spiritual leaders, especially when they don’t respond in the way we think they should.

However, in today’s social climate, it is imperative that our spiritual leaders should be saying SOMETHING. Silence can be perceived as so many things – complicity, avoidance or apathy – and sends a mismanaged message to those who follows them. As someone said, “Silence speaks volumes.” Not saying anything, says something that is generally detrimental to the cause of justice. So, pastors, preachers, priests and other faith leaders are speaking up.

What are they saying?

John Gray/Steven Furtick: Why is the Church Silent – https://youtu.be/j8SyB-pyMp4

Jeremy Foster: Let’s Talk – https://youtu.be/9uEgXGNeXv8

Rick Langford: Sounds of Silence – https://livestream.com/landmarkchurch/sunday/videos/207121659

Christine Caine/Ron Carpenter/Dr. Carole Leaf et al: Bishop TD Jakes Presents: A Raw and Transparent Conversation on The Church and Race – https://youtu.be/xLt7jbJbU_0

Carl Lentz/Bishop TD Jakes: A discussion on Race – https://youtu.be/HYku4vlwnTQ

Lisa Sharon Harper: What if the unraveling is an opportunity for a new seed, America? – https://www.instagram.com/tv/CA-ocEqhInX/?igshid=15aeka7iypvit

Father Shelton Fabre: US Bishops speak out against racism and violent protests – https://youtu.be/jbiDFXOnpAQ

Lisa Brevere: Dropping Defenses – https://www.instagram.com/tv/CA6UoYBF5R5/?igshid=a8jvxw6fg0s9

These are just a few of the leaders who are speaking out against injustice and are having the courage to become vulnerable and transparent about the state of our world and how we can bring hope and reconciliation to a hurting humanity. To you all, I say, “Thank you!”

A Note to Thanks

Sitting in church this morning, with tears my eyes, I listened. I listened as my pastor emphathically and directly broke through the “Sounds of Silence” as he spoke to the heart of the matter. He stood behind the pulpit in protest to the silence and clearly stated the position Landmark Church. I felt heard. I felt seen. I felt that I mattered to those who matter to me. I sent him a text afterwards to thank him and thought that this note of gratitude expands to all spiritual leaders who have committed to lead their congregants with authenticity and courage.

Thank you. Thank you for being courageous to speak it in plain English, with no loopholes or displaced responsibility. Thank you for saying it, even though you will pay for it. Thank you for loving ALL people while recognizing the historical and current systemic discrimination that black communities face and believing that black lives truly matter. I want you to know that I love you. Thank you for being my ally all of these years. Landmark and the community of Lafayette is blessed to have you.

Leaders, it may be hard and you may face backlash from those resistant to acknowledging the truth: Jesus loves us all AND Black Lives Matter. But, know that we champion you and stand firmly beside you as you preach the Gospel. Let us walk together and, with God’s help, we can change the world.

After twelve hours of labor and an emergency C-Section, Wayne and I welcomed a beautiful baby boy. Looking at his perfect little face, hands and feet, we were in love. As we wrapped up our hospital stay, we signed paperwork to obtain his birth certificate, gathered our baby goodies and took our little biracial bundle of joy home.

Tagged from Birth

Several weeks later, as I looked through my hospital documents, you could imagine my surprise to see that my child, born of a white father and a black mother, was identified as ‘Black’ by the State of Louisiana. I was flummoxed. At no point, during my stay at the hospital was his race ever discussed with me or my husband by any hospital staff member. Never had there been any determination from either me nor his dad as to how we wanted to identify his race. It. Just. Was. Regardless of his actual racial heritage, the government determined his race for us. He is considered black. Why did the state and federal government mandate decide to label children of interracial descent as one of minority race only? Because of the archaic one-drop rule, that’s why!

What exactly is the One-Drop rule?

From the mid 1600s to the late twentieth century, certain states determined that laws were needed to monitor and maintain the segregation of racial bloodlines. Thus, laws such as Louisiana Act 46 of 1970, were created. A pertinent piece of the legislation stated:

“In signifying race, a person having one-thirty second or less of Negro blood shall not be deemed, described or designated by any public official in the state of Louisiana as `colored,’ a `mulatto,’ a `black,’ a `negro,’ a `griffe,’ an `Afro-American,’ a `quardroon,’ a `mestizo,’ a `colored person’ or a `person of color.'”

Such laws attempted to quell any interest between people of multiple races; the consequences for violating anti-miscegenation mandates ranged from the illegitimation of the couple’s children to felony charges and a prison sentence. It wasn’t until 1967, when the Lovings, an interracial couple, were jailed for a year for violation of the law, that the Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional and forced 16 states, including Louisiana, to repeal their laws regarding interracial marriage and procreation. Still, laws such as the aforementioned Act 46, were created to ensure that racial lines remained intact.

Throughout American history, state and federal governments used such mandates to clutter the path to racial equality. This law and others like it segmented peoples into minority groups and allowed the ‘superior race’ to maintain priority in the power and social hierarchy. Even when certain laws were abolished, the mentality persists, slowing down our quest for justice. Years later, we are still experiencing just how pervasive systemic racism can be.

Race and the American Educational System

Fast forward to 2018, it is time for Edison’s introduction to ‘big boy school’ and he is so excited! Wayne and I attend Registration Rush and, as we are filling out his paperwork, the question came up regarding his race. I didn’t answer it. Upon turning it in, the teacher gathering the information, said, “Oh, you didn’t fill out the race part. Don’t worry, I’ll do it for you.” I watched as she wrote “AA” (for African American) on the form. I informed her that he was biracial and I wanted both races on his cumulative school record. She seemed thoroughly taken aback. It was as if no parent had made this request before. She allowed me to amend the document but said, “I’ll consider him to be whatever race you want…but the school district may not.” Mind blown! From birth to his initiation into the educational system, his identity was being decided for him. It further highlighted that, although the one-drop laws are technically off the books, the systemic roots of racism run really deep.

In light of the current cultural and political landscape, we have to ask ourselves, why are we still subscribing to this construct? Why are we still allowing these archaic laws to dictate who we are? This construct diminishes the rich heritages represented in the American populous to white, American Indian, Asian and black. Instead of providing space for an individual to self-identify without pressure and create connection through culture, multiracial members of society feel the pressure from the government to make a choice.

Subscribing to the Construct

Here’s the reality of the continuation of adhering to the one-drop rule: it causes a slow eradication of whiteness from the American culture. As race laws always punished those who dared to love, live and procreate interracially, the premise of the mandate is that the white bloodline is so pure that the minority bloodline contaminates and overwhelms its presence. For National Geographic’s 125th anniversary issue, they explored the powerful impact of interracial/multiracial families on the social construct of race. And the projection is that, by 2050, the majority will become the minority. If that is the case, why should any credence be given this social construct at all? Why are we still allowing laws to tell us who we are?

So, where are Wayne and I today, regarding this rule? We denounce it. It is the perpetuation of racism that works to maintain rigid lines between races when the reality is, the color spectrum is just that, a SPECTRUM. People are becoming more and more interested in their cultural history and it is revealing A LOT. They are learning that they aren’t simply ‘white’ but Irish/Arabic/French/Sub-Saharan African. Instead of simply being ‘black’, people are discovering they are actually Guyanese/Scottish/Italian/American Indian. We have determined to embrace our cultures and teach our sons to explore and own ALL of themselves, not just the parts that make American society comfortable. Providing them with full cultural context gives them the opportunity to invest in themselves uniquely. They have the power to identify who they are instead of relying on the chronically toxic American system to do it for them. Why live in narrow race boxes when we can be living in wide-open cultural spaces?