A pedagogy of hope in turbulent times
“These are turbulent times for the field of language and bilingual education in the United States. Political measures that greatly impact multilingual children, youth and families include attempts to implement immigration enforcement measures in schools; the repeal of programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion; an Executive Order to make English the official language of the United States; substantial workforce reduction at the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) at the US Department of Education; and the banning of books in school libraries that reflect the lives of minoritized populations. We watch the news with anxiety and listen to stories of family separation, violation of human rights, dismantling of organizations that benefit both immigrant and indigenous families. We succumb to feelings of hopelessness that weigh heavily on our everyday living and our work.”