Day 21 - Mar 12

How do we all move forward towards AIDE (anticism, inclusion, diversity, and equity)?

“You do not have to be me in order for us to fight alongside each other. I do not have to be you to recognize that our wars are the same. What we must do is commit ourselves to some future that can include each other and to work toward that future with the particular strengths of our individual identities. And in order for us to do this, we must allow each other our differences at the same time as we recognize our sameness.”

― Audre Lorde

READ

Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They Are Okay--Chances Are They Are Not by Danielle Cadet

This post was originally published on May 28, 2020 (short)

Racism and inequity are products of design. They can be redesigned by equityXdesign

This piece went viral when first published - if you are interested in learning more about Equity Meets Design's work, including online courses, visit equitymeetsdesign.com. (long)

Speak Up at School Guide How to Respond to Everyday Prejudice, Bias, and Stereotypes by Brian Willoughby

This guide offers strategies to educators to speak up about bias in different scenarios. (long)

A key to ending racism: Make it personal by John Laidler

"Social psychologist Robert Livingston has spent decades studying racism and advising businesses and nonprofits how to confront it in their workplaces. In a new book, “The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations,” the Harvard Kennedy School lecturer in public policy argues that racism can be battled with constructive dialogue. The Gazette recently spoke to Livingston about what fuels his optimism and how people can help bring about meaningful change." (medium)

Let's Talk: Discussing Race, Racism and other Difficult Topics with Students by Teaching Tolerance

"Educators play a crucial role in helping students talk openly about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of social inequality and discrimination. Learning how to communicate about such topics as white privilege, police violence, economic inequality and mass incarceration requires practice, and facilitating difficult conversations demands courage and skill—regardless of who we are, our intentions or how long we’ve been teaching. Use the strategies in this resource as you prepare to facilitate difficult conversations about race and racism. You can also use them to build competency when discussing other types of discrimination, such as gender bias, ableism, and religious or anti-LGBT persecution. (long)

They're Not Too Young to Talk About Race!" by The Children's Community School

This infographic shows how young children perceive race, with resources to support conversations about race. (short)

Teaching Kindness Isn't Enough by Bret Turner

“Teaching kindness is a staple of elementary practice, but that isn’t the same as teaching justice.” (medium)

LISTEN

What the U.S. can learn from Germany about grappling with dark parts of its history -- Clint Smith on NPR

This interview with Clint Smith discusses Smith's recent cover story in The Atlantic, "Monuments to the Unthinkable." (7:00)

How Can we Broach Hard Conversations in the Classroom? Interview with Liz Kleinrock

When one of Liz Kleinrock's fourth grade students made a cringe-worthy comment about race, rather than change the subject, she chose to turn the moment into a teachable one — and start a conversation. (11:00)

WATCH

How I Learned to stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race TEDx by Jay Smooth

Jay Smooth discusses the sometimes thorny territory of how we discuss issues of race and racism, offering insightful and humorous suggestions for expanding our perception of the subject. (12:00)

How to Let Go of Being a "Good" Person to Become a Better Person TEDx by Dolly Chugh

What if your attachment to being a "good" person is holding you back from actually becoming a better person? In this accessible talk, social psychologist Dolly Chugh explains the puzzling psychology of ethical behavior -- like why it's hard to spot your biases and acknowledge mistakes -- and shows how the path to becoming better starts with owning your mistakes. (12:00)

EXTRAS

ACTION

SONG

Strength, Courage, and Wisdom by India Arie

POEM

Blessing the Boats by Lucille Clifton

ART

Alia Ali, Blue Bleed, WARP Series, 2021

REFLECTION FOR THE DAY

The words we use day-to-day are one of the things we can control at this very moment. What words or phrases will you eliminate from your vocabulary, challenge when you hear them, or add to your language?

After today's challenge work:

Did you have any ‘a-ha’ moment?

Did you feel any discomfort?

What will you do differently based on your challenge today?

Today

Final Reflection

Report a Broken Link

Suggestions for Future Content