Sam P. K. Collins September 9, 2020
When Freedom’s Journal, our nation’s first Black newspaper, was founded in 1827, it proclaimed, “We choose to plead our own cause. For too long have others spoken for us.”
For the time being, students in the District’s public and public charter school systems have been relegated to their homes where they will continue to learn on virtual platforms, much like what they endured during the latter part of last school year when the coronavirus pandemic brought all social and economic activity to a standstill.
While the novelty of this experience has tapered, and many families, with the help of school administrators, have risen to the occasion, this ongoing situation continues to raise the issue of how long some parents, particularly those with children across various grade levels, can sustain tending to their young one’s academic needs while working full-time.
Angel Johnson, a single mother of three who works in the federal government, said that question has been on her mind since August when, after accepting a new full-time job, she learned that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced the launch of a wholly virtual fall term.