Interesting points. I think animals teach us so much about the world that we ourselves could not see or understand. I know when I was younger animals taught me remorse, love, kindness, anger, and the ability to supress and express these feelings. Granted I grew up around dogs who had puppies and the attachment was real. But if we think about love and kindness in terms of individuals especially in the classroom, I think it will open up a dialouge between students and teachers alike. I am furever (see what I did there) grateful to my former pets, current pets, and my parents for allowing me to have pets. Of course there was sadness and uncomfortable situations I had to deal with but they helped me grow as a person, and they helped me become confident in expressing my thoughts and feelings in a productive manner. Again, very interesting points.

Great post Ernesto!
I really like your points here. Opening up the classroom for conversation by creating these spaces offers a sanctuary for students to be themselves. Brave spaces is an interesting concept, which helps people talk and discuss their problems.

Hello Tami,
Thank you for your response.
It was poor phrasing on my part, but I am saying the biggest problem with our country is this colorblind institution. Saying we are colorblind is not saying we are equal far from it. It does imply institutional racism that continues today. It was a way for our country to say we are not racist, when in fact the concept of colorblindness implies this. Again, perhaps poor phrasing on my part but when I mention colorblindness I am implying the inequality associated with it.
Thank you again for your response!

Hello and thanks for your comment. I think you may have missed the point of my blog. The colorblind era of law we live(d) in has only caused more problems. It is problematic, and politically and theoretically speaking this “equality” of colorblindness is wholly unequal. I am not saying colorblind constitutionalism is correct far from it. I believe it needs to be reformed. I believe many people who think it has been, truly haven’t looked at institutions that are in place today. Look at education, poverty in inner cities, prison populations, so on and so on. I am not disagreeing with you here, but I think you may have misread my post. In terms of you discussing race, this is difficult for everyone, but it is most difficult for people of color. African Americans, Latinos/as, Asians,and other minority groups live in a country where they are ridiculed for standing up for their rights. Colorblind constitutionalism has wreaked havoc on our legal system by shaping inequalities not only in law but also in political perception. Even if it is not in existence in the courtroom, it is still exercised by many individuals all across the country. I am sorry for this long response but I felt the need to address. It is always hard to tell other that I study race relations, poverty, and music in regards to political theory. But whether it is “okay” should not always be on your mind in my experience as long as you are coming from a place of understanding and are willing to listen. If we don’t talk about problems how do “we”, which I say in regards to a collaboration of peoples, solve them. Having a place should not be a worry, because we all live in the same country, but listening, and allowing for others who experience such problems discuss these problems is important. Again, I do not know what racial discrimination is like, I don’t know the suffering that comes from systemic inequality. But I can read and talk to those who do, I can try to understand and listen when others don’t. All I can do is try to understand, listen, and come from a place where I want to understand. I am sorry for the long response I just thought I would clarify some things. I never try to come off as a white saviour, far from it, I merely look at the facts and discuss the problems with current institutions and class based inequalities. Again, thank you for your response. I hope this did not come off as rude, I was just defending my position.