On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Matthew (@callmemrmorris -twitter // @matthewrmorris -instagram) have an illuminating and reflective conversation about how identity intersects with and shapes experiences - particularly of Black men within the educational landscape.

During the conversation, Matthew provides countless examples of being intentional and contemplative in making decisions, as well as working with the effects of them - In particular, thinking about how those decisions would impact the representation he would be providing for others. Similarly, we trade stories of receiving blatant racial disrespect and the cognitive and emotional taxation involved in having to hold the whole experience together for both parties (and others who bear witness).

The conversation takes us to critiquing the systemic and institutional narratives promoted about those who are appointed to, and serving in roles that influence systems beyond individual classrooms or schools. Our mutual observations serve to show how similar our experience of 'progressive' education has been over the last decade, despite having experiences in two geographically different educational systems.

Throughout, we wrestle with and critique navigating the narrow and often oppositional expectations given to Black people about who they should aspire to be. We consider the role Black educators have in the representation as well as protection of identities, through modelling vulnerability and authenticity as acts of rebellion and freedom from these binaries.