Carrying the Load: Race-Based Stress in Atlanta’s Schools

Dehjah Vaughn
Oct 28
2 min read

Atlanta’s schools sit at a crossroads of beauty and burden. In a city known for its history of Black brilliance, from civil rights leaders to educators who turned classrooms into community sanctuaries, there’s still a quiet struggle that lingers: race-based stress.

Street with large mural of a man on a building. Overcast sky, cars parked. Signs read "Honor the Vote" and "John Lewis." Calm mood.

It’s the unseen tension that builds when you’re constantly navigating bias, cultural misunderstandings, or being labeled “angry” for holding firm boundaries. It’s watching Black students get suspended for behaviors that often signal unmet needs, not defiance. And for many Black educators, it’s the emotional labor of showing up every single day as a teacher, counselor, advocate, and sometimes even protector, without adequate recognition or rest.

The weight gets heavier when the system doesn’t account for the cost of this work. While conversations about “teacher wellness” circulate, fair compensation and worker support often lag. Many Black educators deal with trauma that isn’t covered by workers’ comp, whether that’s managing crises in under-resourced classrooms or absorbing the pain of students carrying generational stress. The emotional and psychological labor that comes with this work deserves to be acknowledged, respected, and compensated.

A hand holds a sign reading "I TEACH BLACK STUDENTS I CANNOT BE SILENT" in front of a gold sphere on a tower, under a cloudy sky.

Atlanta is a city of contradictions, rich in culture yet still wrestling with inequities rooted in the very soil that grew its movements. Healing starts with truth-telling. It means saying out loud that race-based stress is real, that it impacts both teaching and learning, and that educators deserve systems of care, not just slogans about resilience.

For those of us committed to liberatory education, this isn’t just about reform. It’s about restoration. It’s about making sure the people doing the heart work in classrooms, hallways, and communities are protected, paid fairly, and given the space to breathe.

Man in a red cap giving a lecture titled "Full Time Creator 101" in a classroom. Blue walls, desk with papers, students listening.

Because liberation doesn’t begin in policy, it starts with people who refuse to carry the load alone.

Action Steps for Readers

Acknowledge and name race-based stress. Start conversations within your school or organization about the emotional impact of racial bias and systemic inequities.
Advocate for fair compensation and worker protections. Push for policies that ensure educators are compensated for the full scope of their labor, including mental health support and workers’ comp for classroom-related trauma.
Integrate healing-centered practices. Incorporate mindfulness, cultural wellness frameworks, and restorative circles into classrooms to help both students and educators process emotional weight.
Support Black educators and students. Create spaces for open dialogue, mentorship, and celebration of Black leadership within educational settings.
Stay informed and connected. Continue learning through CRESTS Program resources, community forums, and professional development opportunities centered on decolonization and equity.