Every fall semester I teach a class on macro practice where the focus is on community organizing and development, as well as organizational development. Early on, as I am trying to connect with the students, we talk about community and what it means to us. This year, I tried something different. I gave every studentContinue reading “Metaphorical masks and bearing each others’ burdens”
Tag Archives: social work education
“Minding the gap”
In London, “minding the gap” is a phrase you hear frequently when using the subway. It is a reminder to pay attention to the space between the train and the platform. It can also be a metaphor for paying attention to the space between where you are, and where you are going….or a reminder/call toContinue reading ““Minding the gap””
“No sense of identity” and “menaced by a lack of vision” (James Baldwin)
James Baldwin was born on August 2, 1924, which happens to be the same year my grandmother was born. It is strange to think of them being in the same age cohort. That is a rumination for another day! If you haven’t seen I Am Not Your Negro, do that as soon as you can.Continue reading ““No sense of identity” and “menaced by a lack of vision” (James Baldwin)”
Tools and weapons: “Worship of the written word”
I have been reflecting on pieces of an article and framework this summer by Tema Okun, on traits of white supremacy culture. You can delve into it here, and let me tell you, it is powerful: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/ It has been hard to read and see elements of myself in these traits. What is helpful (andContinue reading “Tools and weapons: “Worship of the written word””
Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story
I have written here before about Dorothy Day and her lived out principles of personalism, “the little way” and the works of mercy: https://teachingbeloved.com/2020/10/31/dorothy-day-and-some-early-thoughts-for-post-election-intentional-living/) Today while going through some old emails that I had saved, I came across a reminder for this episode of the Tokens show podcast, Dorothy Day: Traditional, Radical, Christian: https://www.tokensshow.com/blog/s1e7-dorothy-day-traditional-radical-christian InContinue reading “Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story”
My “deep gladness” and the world’s “deep hunger”, and conversations with my children
I have not felt motivation to write lately, or frankly, to do much of anything. I am struggling some with post-quarantine re-entry and while I am thankful to have the vaccine and some safety to “move about the cabin” of the world, I am not feeling quite myself in terms of being with people. IContinue reading “My “deep gladness” and the world’s “deep hunger”, and conversations with my children”
“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””
“Memory knows before knowing remembers”— Using Memorial Drive: A Daughter’s Memoir in teaching about trauma
Memorial Drive: A Daughter’s Memoir is by Natasha Trethewey and it was published in 2020. The quote in the title of this post is from William Faulkner, used by the author in her work. I finished the book last week, as was assigned in an integrated learning community (ILC) that I am teaching in thisContinue reading ““Memory knows before knowing remembers”— Using Memorial Drive: A Daughter’s Memoir in teaching about trauma”
50,000 Coaches and Community Resilience
Last week, at the very end of our between semester break, my family and I watched Akeelah and the Bee. I had seen it before, several years ago, but loved it just as much this time around. If you haven’t seen it, the basic plotline is that Akeelah, a middle school student, is enrolled atContinue reading “50,000 Coaches and Community Resilience”
Teaching (toward) Beloved 