Troublemaker Training Special Event Followup
Lucretia Berry • October 6, 2023
Did you participate in the Red, Wine & Blue Troublemaker Training? Didn’t the students do a great job sharing about how the Anti-Racism 101 high school elective impacted them? If you missed it, watch the recording:
I wish I had more time to answer everyone’s questions! I sincerely appreciate your curiosity and willingness to learn and grow. So, I thought I’d share the notes I created from the questions you submitted during registration.
1. What would you say to people who have heard misinformation about race in education when there isn’t time for a deep conversation – such as when canvassing or short chats w/ neighbors, etc? When there isn’t much time for a deep conversation, it’s essential to be concise and empathetic. You could say something like, “I understand there’s a lot of information out there, but it’s crucial to rely on credible sources for information about race in education. Misinformation can perpetuate stereotypes and hinder progress.”
2. What would you say to people who talk about “reverse racism?” When discussing “reverse racism,” you might respond by explaining, “While it’s essential to address all forms of discrimination, ‘reverse racism’ is a term that doesn’t accurately reflect systemic power imbalances.” Here is an article I just wrote about “reverse racism.”
3. How can we promote anti-racism curriculum in public schools? To promote anti-racism curriculum in public schools, you can suggest, “Engage with your local school board, attend meetings, and advocate for inclusive, anti-bias education. Collaborate with educators, parents, and community organizations to emphasize the importance of diverse perspectives in the curriculum.” Red, Wine, & Blue can help you with this!
4. How do we combat the false narrative about CRT (Critical Race Theory) in public education? Combatting false narratives about CRT in public education requires clarity. You might say, “Critical Race Theory is not typically taught in K-12 schools. It’s crucial to separate fact from fiction and ensure accurate information is available to parents and communities through transparent communication and educational forums.”
5. What are three core values of anti-racism education curriculums you would like to amplify? Three core values of anti-racism education curriculums to amplify are:
- Equity: Ensuring that all students have access to the same opportunities and resources, regardless of their racial background.
- Inclusivity: Creating an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued, promoting a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.
- Critical Thinking: Encouraging students to analyze and question societal norms and systems to foster a deeper understanding of racism and how to combat it.
6. What resources would you recommend for those who want to increase their knowledge and understanding? For those looking to increase their knowledge and understanding, I recommend resources that are informative and thought-provoking:
Book
In Teaching for Justice and Belonging – A Journey for Educators and Parents (2022), Dr. Glass and I share from the work we’ve done in communities, schools, churches, and at home. We answer many of your ‘how do we do this?’ questions.
Online courses
- Foundations or What LIES Between US
- Anti-Racism Graduate Certificate Program, UNC Charlotte
- Learning for Justice
- Checkology – News Media Literacy
Engaging with local community groups or workshops focused on anti-racism and racial equity.
- Brownicity.com
- Undoing Racism (The people’s institute for survival and beyond)
- WeARE (Working to Extend Anti-Racism Education) https://www.weare-nc.org/
Documentaries
- Race: The Power of an Illusion 3-part documentary
- 13th – watch on Netflix
Podcasts
What can we do about book bans? Check out this article, Let Freedom Read – A Resource for Banned Books Week.
How do we address push back we receive from white parents who claim that they don’t want to challenge or make their white students uncomfortable: We all have been racialized. And White students should not be deprived of developing racial literacy and cultural competency.
How do we support teachers in the classroom? Let teachers know that you want to help. Send them thank you’s. Praise them publicly!
How do we address reactionary history textbooks, extremist groups are promoting (i.e., Prager U)? PragerU (Prager University) is not a credible education resource for teaching subjective or honest history for several reasons:
1. Bias and Ideological Agenda: PragerU is known for promoting a conservative and right-leaning ideological agenda. This ideological bias can lead to a skewed presentation of historical events and concepts, favoring interpretations that align with their political viewpoint while downplaying or omitting perspectives that do not.
2. Lack of Academic Rigor: PragerU videos are typically short and lack the depth and nuance required to provide a comprehensive and accurate understanding of complex historical topics. History is often oversimplified, and key historical context can be omitted, which can distort the accuracy of the information presented.
3. Lack of Peer Review: Unlike traditional academic institutions, PragerU does not undergo peer review or adhere to rigorous academic standards. Peer review is a critical process in academia that helps ensure the accuracy and reliability of scholarly work.
4. Cherry-Picking Data: PragerU has been criticized for selectively using data and statistics to support its arguments, often ignoring or downplaying data that contradicts their narrative. This cherry-picking of information can lead to a biased and incomplete portrayal of historical events.
5. Questionable Expertise: The individuals who create PragerU content may not always have the necessary expertise or qualifications in the specific historical topics they discuss. This lack of expertise can result in inaccuracies and misinterpretations.
6. Limited Diversity of Perspectives: PragerU tends to present a narrow range of perspectives, which can limit students’ exposure to diverse viewpoints and interpretations of history. A credible history education should encourage critical thinking and the examination of multiple perspectives.
7. Controversial Figures and Topics: PragerU has faced criticism for featuring controversial figures and topics in its content, which can further undermine its credibility as an educational resource. Presenting contentious or debunked historical claims can misinform students.
In summary, PragerU’s reputation as a credible education resource for teaching history is often questioned due to its ideological bias, lack of academic rigor, selective use of data, limited diversity of perspectives, and potential lack of expertise. For a more balanced and reliable education in history, it is advisable to consult a variety of academic sources, peer-reviewed publications, and reputable educational institutions. Critical thinking and the exploration of multiple viewpoints are essential for a well-rounded understanding of historical events.
I hope this is helpful! If you’d like to work with Brownicity, email connect@brownicity.com. To stay up-to-date on events and opportunities to learn, subscribe to our monthly newsletter. To access free courses and get discounts on future events, join our LEARN community. To stay engaged, follow Brownicity on FB, IG, and Link’d In.
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