Week 2. Addressing Race and Racism Among Teachers

So about 16/36 of our staff members came to our first Article Chat and we are continuing the work this week! I am not ready to share how I feel it is going beyond it feel good to see a big chunk of our staff and the conversation was solid. I want to make sure I am respecting the privacy of the space.

If you are interested in following along or using this at your school here’s the email I send:

Hey Y’all,

Thank you to all of you that came to article group last week!  It was so great!  We had 16 participants and I so appreciate each and everyone of you. If you didn’t come last week you are extra invited this week. Please join us.

Week 2 will be Friday the 21th at lunch.  Attached is the reading.  Suggested by Melanie we will be reading The Silenced Dialogue: Power and Pedagogy in Educating Other People’s Children by Lisa Delpit. It is LONG so we will only be reading the first 6 pages (numbered 280-285)

As you read here are some questions to think about:

1. As you read the first two pages

• if you are a white person: have you had people of color share experiences like this?  How did it make you feel? What behaviors or attitude shifted after you listened? Did you feel defensive? Do you feel defensive now?

• If you are a person of color: Have you had experiences like the ones shared? Have you had conversations about them? How are those conversations different with white people vs with other people of color?

2. On page 283 there is a list of five aspects of power.  Looking at specifically at #1 What issues of power do you see in our school?  What do you see in your classroom?  How are you reenforcing the power of the dominant culture (white supremacy) in your classroom?  How are you pushing back against it?

3. When you finish go back and pick a quote that particularly struck you and come prepared to share it with a neighbor.

Here’s the article: Power

I hope you’ll join us!

Anne

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