A lot (too much) is happening in America. And as a Black man, it’s both exhausting and absolutely terrifying. Anything I do, or don’t do, can lead to my harassment or even death. And for those who still feel that I’m *different* because of how you know me, rest assured: I’m no different than any other Black person in this country.

But lest we lose sight of the central issue, remember: the problem is not police officers; it’s policing. The problem is not bad teachers, administrators, or other educators; it’s the education system. In other words, the pervasive and persistent disregard of Black lives is far beyond the individual actions of a few *bad apples.* Fundamentally, the system is the issue. And to continue with the apple analogy, we have more than a few bad apples because the tree is rotten. As I've shared via social media before (see January 18), the *bad apple* defense absolves the system of its primary role in perpetuating negative (deadly) outcomes.

Should individuals be held accountable? Yes. Does the system need to be overhauled? Yes. We can walk and chew gum at the same time.