Final answer:
Celebrating Black and Brown students and fostering their joy helps create an anti-racist school environment that challenges systemic oppression by affirming the value and importance of these students' experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Embracing and celebrating Black and brown students, along with fostering Black and Brown Joy in schools are crucial actions in cultivating an anti-racist environment. These actions counteract systemic inequities and encourage educators and students to move beyond merely being non-racist to becoming actively anti-racist. Celebrating the achievements and joy of students of color can be transformative, especially in an education system that historically marginalizes non-white students. It is empowering and affirming for both the students who see themselves represented and for their peers who learn to appreciate and understand the diverse contributions to society. Additionally, it challenges systems of oppression by affirming that Black Lives Matter and pushing for educational equity.
Anti-racist efforts must extend beyond the classroom by learning from and following the leadership of people of color, recognizing the historical impact of colonial racism in American education, and actively working to dismantle structures that perpetuate discrimination. By celebrating and integrating the voices, experiences, and cultures of Black and brown students, schools can take meaningful steps towards rectifying educational disparities and building a more just society.