The Integrated Schools Podcast

I am connecting David Bohm’s “On Dialogue” with one of many reasons why I love the Integrated Schools group. “When we come together to talk, or otherwise to act in common, can each of us be aware of the subtle fear and pleasure sensations that “block” his ability to listen freely? Without this awareness, the injunction to listen to the whole of what is said will have little meaning. But if each of us can give full attention to what is actually “blocking” communication while he is also attending properly to the content of what is communicated, then we may be able to create something new between us, something of very great significance for bringing to an end the at present insoluble problems of the individual and of society.” —David Bohm Integrated Schools’ people attend to long-standing inattentions to social injustice! Exciting that in this coming year they will include problem topics: ‘systems and how to do we change them?’ and ‘what are the features of quality education?’ 🎉 🎈 🎊

If you are in pursuit of justice of any kind, this podcast is for you. I get tongue tied when I try to write a review for WHY Everyone should drop what they’re doing and listen to Integrated Schools NOW…so I usually just say, “trust me—listen to it.” And I think it’s because school integration intersects so much of our lives (even if you don’t have kids) that I just don’t know where to start. The interviews are always educational, eye opening, and sometimes sad. My brain makes a new connection a new connection just about every episode. Though the best part of the podcast is really Andrew and Val and their dialogue and friendship around these issues. They help to name things we haven’t had words for and they help with the radical empathy for self and others that this work requires. Can’t recommend this highly enough. And meanwhile, Val and Andrew, please come do a live show in Oakland!

You keep giving me words, explanations, ideas, and perspective to the stuff I am thinking about and dealing with right now as a black mom of three kids.

Thank you, thank you. I’m a white parent who graduated from a global-majority district, where my kids attend school now. Much has changed; much is the same. Fewer white families use the district since I was a student, and black excellence and equity is at the forefront of administrative policy. The education my kids and their fellow students are receiving is enriching, thoughtful, and imperfect. Such is the real, wrought world. When white parents who don’t use the public schools question my decision, or doubt my enthusiasm for public education, I hear it for the historic, coded, fear-based thinking that it is. That is in part thanks to your podcast, which calls out white anxiety and perfectionism, and refuses to excuse complacency. Please keep going.