June 30, 2020
FIRST Inclusive Education Book Discussion
Main goal for today: focus on substantive action
Outline: Definitions
Broad themes from book
Performative vs substantive action
Action plans
(including being an effective bystander)
Racism
Antiracism
Policies
Ideas
Policies
Ideas
Lack of equity among racial groups
Superiority/inferiority among racial groups
“One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an antiracist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.’ The claim of ‘not racist’ neutrality is a mask for racism.” p.9
“’Racist’ and ‘antiracist’ are like peelable name tags that are placed and replaced based on what someone is doing or not doing, supporting or expressing in each moment. These are not permanent tattoos…” p.22
Racist vs. Antiracist
Equity among racial groups
Equality of racial groups
Kendi’s big-picture themes
Dueling consciousness
Power
Biology
Body
Culture
Behavior
Color
White
Black
Class
Space
Gender
Sexuality
Failure
Success
Survival
De-center whiteness,
actively undermine racist
ideas of inequality
Anyone can be racist
Antiracism requires
intersectionality
Know the history,
keep working
Dr. Helen Cho’s “Dear White Colleagues” blog post
Racist
Antiracist
Kendi:
Cho:
Racist
Ally
Accomplice
You rarely show up to events that have to do with racial injustice unless it’s an egregious, national, news-worthy incident.
You take up space and often use “diversity” and “inclusivity” and other academic buzzwords in your rhetoric. You never say anything noteworthy that’s racist. That’s it.
You vote liberal and think that absolves you from further labor.
e.g.
You speak up and risk the ire of your white colleagues.
You sacrifice time and mental energy away from your area of specialization.
You’re honest about your own ignorance, prejudices, blinders, and privileges as a jumping off point.
e.g.
In breakout groups: Performative vs. substantive action
Nadia N. Aziz @NadiainDC
#BlackintheIvory
Dr. Shardé Davis, Joy Melody Woods
Raven the Science Maven:
My first day of work someone from the chemistry department physically blocked me from getting my mail in the faculty mailroom. Threatened to call the police because they thought I was a student trying to steal mail. Didn't believe my faculty ID was real. #BlackintheIvory
Ana Rosado:
sometimes "allies" are complicit in gaslighting. i can't count the number of times I've shared an experience I had with racism or a microaggression where a white colleague has responded "i just don't think race was part of it" #BlackintheIvory
Ana Rosado:
white academics will be like "white silence is violence" at a rally and then tell a Black academic to "stop making it about race" #BlackintheIvory
Natural History Museum Workers:
I started calling these people Amy Cooper's. Regardless of gender. People who pretend to be liberal academics, But as soon as you question them or step out of line of the hierarchy they created... That's when they show their true thoughts. In a way I find it more insidious. #BlackintheIvory
In breakout groups: Substantive antiracist actions
List effective actions to implement.
In your professional setting
1.
2.
In the broader community
1.
2.
Non-Black academics reading #BlackintheIvory may notice how many incidents happened in front of bystanders. If you think you'd never stand for that, please consider this study where people massively overpredicted whether they'd act in response to racism.
--Sanjay Srivastava.
Including: Be an antiracist bystander!
Steps to prepare for being an antiracist bystander:
1.
2.
What are the obstacles to overcome?