Working towards the Elimination of Racism in the Classroom: Sharing Our Stories, Curricula, and Teaching Ideas
- Tracey Owens Patton (Iowa State University)
Abstract
Racism is perhaps the most challenging issue of the 21st century. Racism generates fear, anger, miscommunication, feelings of powerlessness, and even grief over the perpetuation of hurtful stereotypes as well as the loss of opportunities for development of deep and lasting relationships across racial and ethnic lines.
This session addresses ways that faculty can open discussion and reflection on racism. The presenters suggest ways to help students (targets and non-targets ofracism) both understand and articulate how racism impacts their lives. The session will also include the sharing of strategies and curricula as well as teaching tools. The goal is to enable students to free themselves from racism's effects and discover ways to interrupt racism in their lives.
The two presenting faculty will share information about their pedagogical techniques and curriculum for the first 20–25 minutes of the session. The remaining time in the program gives attendees the opportunity to share their stories about the ways they have incorporated different pedagogies and curricula in their classrooms to deal with issues of racism.