Below is a photo of Harriet Tubman. Abolitionist. Leader/conductor of the Underground Railroad. Student of stars in the nighttime sky. Seer of visions. Spy for Union forces. A woman with a disability (inflicted upon her by a slaveholder). She was a woman who didn’t stop. She was a believer and a faithful witness. In aContinue reading “Harriet Tubman, Revisionist History and Fact Checking”
Tag Archives: social justice
Happy Birthday, Dr. King: I am sorry we haven’t bent the arc more yet.
Though we have an official day to recognize Dr. King’s birthday coming up next week, today (January 15) is his actual birthday. Going to college in Memphis and spending several years there after college, I visited the National Civil Rights Museum (at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated) many times. I have hadContinue reading “Happy Birthday, Dr. King: I am sorry we haven’t bent the arc more yet.”
Difficult conversations in the classroom
In social work education, we often have difficult conversations in the classroom as we grapple with teaching and learning about systemic racism, other forms of discrimination, and oppression. These discussions are relevant to the course and student learning, so I can’t “duck” them, but even though I have been in the classroom for 20 years,Continue reading “Difficult conversations in the classroom”
Basics of engaging with elected officials
For most years I have been teaching social work students, I have taught policy classes. There is an expectation of political engagement for social workers, and this aspect of our Code of Ethics is something I teach within the first week of policy class. But political engagement is something that is (should be) for everyone.Continue reading “Basics of engaging with elected officials”
“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them” (James Baldwin)
One of the things I am proudest of for this spring semester is that I was able to get students interested in history…the history that isn’t often told in school, to be specific. The first session of my Social Movement/Social Change class happened on January 13, a week after the events at the Capitol. IContinue reading ““People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them” (James Baldwin)”
“…it takes a whole hand—both hands—to grab hold of hatred”
Today is the anniversary date of what is often referred to (in Tennessee) as the Waffle House shooting. That is an accurate description as far as names go but one that has always felt too impersonal, because part of the loss of life in this shooting was personal to me. One of the people whoContinue reading ““…it takes a whole hand—both hands—to grab hold of hatred””
Centering other voices: The US and the 4th of July
This semester I am teaching a class called Social Movement and Social Change. It is the first time I have taught this course, though I had a bit of trial run last semester when I incorporated the themes of resistance in my section of the First Year Seminar. There are 25 students in class, aContinue reading “Centering other voices: The US and the 4th of July”
Honesty
Today has been unsettling. Simultaneously surprising (can this really be happening here? In the US?) and yet…not surprising at all. The past 4 years and then some have been building to this moment. I am thankful I have a few days to think before seeing a group of students. Between teaching a class on trauma,Continue reading “Honesty”
Roots and wings and (social justice) dreams
The picture of Vice President Elect Kamala Harris walking alongside the shadow of 6 year old Ruby Bridges has been giving me life the past few days. I have taught three classes this week and shown the picture in 2 of them. In one of the classes (a freshman seminar focused on social change), noContinue reading “Roots and wings and (social justice) dreams”
Teaching (toward) the Beloved Community 