An Open Letter: A Time for Listening and Learning
Education is a human right. edX was founded on this belief. But, there are human rights far more fundamental - equality, dignity, respect. Racism is a blatant disregard of these basic human rights.
As I’ve watched the news unfold of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, and the subsequent activism sweeping the world, I feel it my personal responsibility to offer solidarity and support, to let you know that I stand with this global community against racism. I also know that’s not enough. I write this letter to also encourage dialogue and conversation. Conversations that will be difficult, challenging and, hopefully, enlightening. Conversations that are true dialogues - talking and listening. Most importantly, learning.
There is so much uncertainty and division at this time. It is clear that change and transformation must come next. I believe that the fuel for this transformation will come from the conversations we have with each other, within communities and also outside of them. As a professor, I have always seen the value of bringing a diverse set of views to the table.
Of course, this won’t solve the full issue. We need to act, to unite and to rebuild, but I do believe that conversation will yield the actions we have to take. It will inform how we reshape the future ahead.
edX is committed to providing a platform for these conversations, for fueling transformation, as best we can. When we made it our mission to increase access to education for ‘everyone, everywhere,’ it was because we believe that ‘everyone, everywhere’ brings important, different and valuable perspectives to conversations. We have always wanted to be a place for learners to come, from all over the world, to discuss issues important to them, to learn together, to learn from and with each other. We are proud of our learner community, the problems they solve, the way they look at the world and the impact they’ve had in their own communities.
I encourage learners, partners, customers to engage in listening and learning, to have difficult yet impactful conversations. The edX team has put together some resources we found helpful. Please share any resources you’ve found to be useful, so we can learn more together.
Results-oriented and highly-analytical, strategic fundraiser
4 年Thanks Anant, it is wonderful to join a team that cares about addressing these challenges.
Thx Prof Agarwal for this message and putting these resources together. The long awaited real changes to bring peace, prosperity, growth and provide basic human rights of equality, justice for all, as basic and fundamental as they seem to be, have not been easy to achieve. The protests do seem to bring the world closer than any other time to making it happen.
Results-Driven Growth Strategist | Expert in Digital Marketing & Revenue Expansion
4 年Well said! "There is so much uncertainty and division at this time. It is clear that change and transformation must come next. I believe that the fuel for this transformation will come from the conversations we have with each other, within communities and also outside of them.?"
President & COO @ Terzo | MBA, Enterprise AI, FinTech,InsureTech
4 年Education isn’t a quick fix, but it is incredibly fundamental, as a leveling force for society. If we want to see broad changes in outcomes we need better educational outcomes for many.
Building Psychology Products
4 年No rules will rule unless the mindset changes and there has never been more powerful tool than education that guarantees a definite mind change. Anant sir :) Edx is lighting like a candle ever since.