Culturally
Competent
Leadership
The challenges of effectively educating
children of color when fear and unconscious
biases prevail in school communities
BY CAPRICE D. HOLLINS
I
‘m at the checkout stand of the school district
cafeteria where I
run into a woman
I don’t
know
well. Our exchanges typically are brief, but that
day she had more to say than just a passing hello.
“I’m so sorry they are letting you go.”
It takes a moment to rgister what she is saying.
Confused, I reply, “What? Who? What are you talk
ing about?”
She quickly realizes I hadn’t heard the news. She
shifts uncomfortably, unsure whether to say more.
“Uh, I just came from a meeting and found out the
Department of Equity and Race Relations is being
eliminated’
I confidently assure her she is mistaken. “No,
I’m still here. They didn’t let me go. You must have
gotten some bad information, or maybe you’ve con
fused my department with another one.”
As we say our goodbyes, she gives me that “poor
you” look. I head off to my table of friends, anxious
to share this odd encounter and the
rumors
that
clearly are circulating. “You guys are not going to
believe what I just heard:’
I don’t get a chance to finish. I didn’t need to.
The looks on their faces tell me something is defi
nitely wrong. I no longer am hungry
Three hours later I’m sitting in the office of the
superintendent with the chief academic officer by
her side, listening to two black women tell me,
“Race and equity is everyone’s job:’ My thoughts are
racing, and my heart is pounding. I’m trying not to
DECEMBER 2013 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
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