This week we will explore how systems and institutions discriminate against and exclude groups and communities historically subjected to oppression. Systemic racism is a system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms work to perpetuate racial group inequity. It identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with “whiteness” and disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt over time. Systemic racism and its associated inequality reinforces the oppression of all traditionally marginalized identities. It is not something that a few people or institutions choose to practice; instead it has been a feature of the social, economic and political systems in which we all exist.
Education
Equity in education requires practices, policies, and procedures to support academic fairness and inclusion. Inequities in education start early with lifelong impacts on children and communities. Gaps in educational opportunity are not due to individual actions, but rather to historic and current social and economic conditions.
Resources
A year after Florida’s legislation banning classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity, state lawmakers have now banned any discussion of Critical Race Theory. Written by an undergrad at Florida State University, this article explores the impact of lawmakers erasing racism as an integral part of America’s past that still affects us today.
Read this piece on how schools struggle to support LGBTQIA+ students.
This interactive map from the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley illustrates school segregation across the United States.
This short video from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year explores why we don’t have more black teachers in our education system.
Reflection
Growing up, how did your teachers and curriculum reflect your identities? Or how did they not match your identities?
What problems might arise when your identities and experiences are not reflected in your learning environment?