Jenny Horne (R-SC) Crosses the Courage Line to #takeitdown

“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.”

(-Professor Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)

This video is worth watching (starting at 7 seconds), or at least reading the transcript

Like Neville, who called out Hermione, Ron and Harry in the midst of an emotional moment, Jenny Horne shifted the tone of the SC House debate regarding the Confederate flag and the #takeitdown movement.

I found myself in awe of both the vulnerability and leadership of Horne at a critical moment.  She stepped across lines of color, political party, and her own historical privilege (she is a descendant of Jefferson Davis) to talk about the prevailing community voice rather than her own.

Teachers often walk that line:

• advocating for the voices of their student and community stakeholders
• being willing to choose a clear position, rather than teetering at the tipping point
• listening to the voice of others and then pushing the conversation forward.

What is a moment when you felt so strongly about an educational issue that you were willing to advocate passionately and found your voice?