I create a classroom of openness and respect to show that DEI matters

Yahoo

20-04-2025

When I began teaching at an HBCU nine years ago, I have to admit, I felt a bit safe. I enjoyed the feeling of being free to be me and the nostalgia I got from my students as well. Seeing them explore, reflect, question, fail, and get up to try again was an experience I wish I could have bottled up.
Sitting at the highest point of the city, Johnson C. Smith University has a rich history and tradition. I might go too hard on the history and tradition in my classrooms, but being a product of parents who met here and married does that to a girl. I spend a lot of days reminding students of times before, whether causes alumni fought for, or when alumni confidently walked the streets of Beatties Ford Road either over its iconic bridge or across campus to get to class. Adorned in stylish garments and dripping with their intelligence on various global concerns, there was never a doubt from the students or the staff and faculty that it was okay to be Black and beautiful.
Today, the questions I receive make me wonder if my students still have that same confidence in their world and themselves.
A female student asked me about my safety as an educator. 'Will you be okay Professor Corbett . . . you know . . . because you are what people might consider woke.' Another question was by a transgender student, who asked, soon after the presidential election, 'Did I make the right choice,' in reference to his sexuality. Both questions brought tears to my eyes and were my primary companion on my drive home. To be honest, I am not sure if it was because of their worry or because I did not have any answers, but for once in a long time, I was speechless.
I create a course with my students in mind. I had and still have wonderful experiences in my academic matriculation. It is important I provide them with a similar experience. As a result, all of my courses have a mandatory community service component. It is to bolster their resumes and allow them to have equitable and sustainable careers. But I have to push them at times. Sometimes they do not think they are worthy of experiences we are creating with our community partners. Whether it be their race, the school they chose to attend, their age or their sexuality,impostor syndrome weighs heavy on my students. One reason for that is these experiences take them out of their comfort zone. But, more importantly, they wonder if the color of their skin,their education or their ideologies will cause them to be mocked or ridiculed. As much as I prepare for these moments, sometimes I cannot take their fears away. These faulty perspectives should bring us all together.
I do as much as I can to create a classroom that is run on fidelity. A classroom that has an appreciation for all ideas. Mine is not the only one that will move the needle in our classroom. Every idea, every point of reflection and observation is included in our discussions. Every student, regardless of what box they check, what political ideas they hold or the color of the skin, is welcome to our table of learning. If I cannot guarantee this type of experience for them outside the classroom, I can surely do my best to uplift and graciously challenge them inside.
So, whenever you ride by our school, and you ponder what we may be learning here, know that we are teaching them to still believe diversity, equity and inclusion matter.
Jasmine M. Corbett is a mom and native of Charlotte. As a professor at Johnson C. Smith University, she merges communication and law in an effort to help young people feel confident to tell their stories.