Untitled Poem by Beth Strano | Facing History & Ourselves
Reading

Untitled Poem by Beth Strano

Read this poem by Beth Strano with your students to consider what a brave classroom community looks like.
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At a Glance

Reading

Language

English — US

Subject

  • English & Language Arts
  • History
  • Social Studies
  • Culture & Identity

There is no such thing as a “safe space” —

We exist in the real world.

We all carry scars and have caused wounds.

This space

seeks to turn down the volume of the world outside,

and amplify voices that have to fight to be heard elsewhere,

This space will not be perfect.

It will not always be what we wish it to be

But

It will be our space together,

and we will work on it side by side. 1

  • 1Beth Strano, "Untitled," posted to Facebook June 25, 2021. We originally posted a version of this poem attributed to Mickey ScottBey Jones. After learning that Jones' version was plagiarized, we have replaced it with the original poem by Beth Strano. Please use Strano's version going forward.

How to Cite This Reading

Facing History & Ourselves, “Untitled Poem by Beth Strano,” last updated August 9, 2023. 

This reading contains text not authored by Facing History & Ourselves. See footnotes for source information.

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Most teachers are willing to tackle the difficult topics, but we need the tools.
— Gabriela Calderon-Espinal, Bay Shore, NY