Today I took part in the MIT Open Learning Anti-Racism Reading and Discussion Group via Zoom. I found this informal event by my Open Learning colleagues to be a masterclass in online learning. In particular, to me this was the best example of community engagement online.

We often feel helpless. We ask, “What can I as one person do?” Often, this question is our silent answer to injustice. But this silent answer has a loud echo. It deafens us. It tells us, “You are small.” It closes our eyes to what we can be. 

So perhaps, change starts with catching ourselves in that moment when we say to ourselves, “What can one person do?” The meeting today made me aware of that moment – I realized I’m in control of it. That millisecond is an eternity – for choice. And in that millisecond we can rise to be more that we thought we were.

I never knew that a virtual meeting could be so genuine.

The organizers presented the participants with four videos from the MIT vigil and offered a question to guide each viewing. After each video we discussed the question in small groups. 

The organizers offered valuable guidance. We were encouraged to listen intently to each speaker, without interruption, without judgement. We were also asked to treat the discussions with privacy. Each speaker was given two minutes to share and we timed each speaker. Everyone got a chance to participate equitably. I know that this recipe sounds simple, but it worked. 

The experience made me feel hopeful. Hopeful that we can come together. Hopeful that we can act as communities despite the disconnection wrought by the pandemic. Empathy does transcend the virtual barrier. 

I look forward to participating in the future events of this group. I believe that education can make a real difference in the fight for justice. And I also believe that the fight for justice will make us better educators.