ANNOUNCING OUR NEW ANTI-RACIST READING GROUP!

This week, we wanted to highlight a few more resources and ideas for anti-racist work we can all do, but we would be remiss not to take a moment to acknowledge the recent deaths of two Civil Rights leaders: Representative John Lewis and Rev. C. T. Vivian. The links in the previous sentence go to recent New York Times articles about their work. 

 

We encourage you to take some time to read up on their invaluable contributions to the fight against racial injustice. You might also consider checking out John Lewis’ fantastic MARCH graphic novel trilogy that offers a great visual telling of his story and work.

 

We invite you also to respond to this email and share any additional resources or stories of your own anti-racist work. We want to encourage dialogue. To that end, the first item on this list is one way of joining us for future conversations:

 

1. We’re writing to extend an invitation to you to our new Anti-Racist Reading Group. This group is a pilot effort among us (Shannon and Ashanka) with Dr. Adrian Neely. This year, we’d like to focus the participation to our department and a few VIP members of our campus community. We hope you’ll join us.

 

First Read: Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

We also recommend these if you’d like to expand this work with your family:

·         Teen/YA Adaptation:

·         Stamped:

·         Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

·         Board Book:

·         Antiracist

·         Baby by Ibram X. Kendi

·          

 

When: Wednesday, August 5, at 1 p.m. CST

Where: Zoom Meeting ID: 7811530974

 

2. Listen to this podcast series called “Race Traitor: Who Taught You to Be White?”: A quick preview can be found in this episode of the incredible podcast series called 99% Invisible about society’s “hidden designs”  (about halfway into the latest episode about race and McDonald’s franchising called “This Side of Franchise”, which is definitely worth a listen as well). I (Shannon) found the four-part “Race Traitor” from that 99% Invisible episode, which made me super curious about the series. However, a heads up on the full series: (1)  I’d be lying if I told it wasn’t painful and hard not to dismiss. I press on because I have to lean into that discomfort. Even that desire for comfort, I’m learning, is a huge part of what makes white supremacy so pernicious  Everyone else experiencing everyday life without privilege feels that discomfort all the time. They have no choice. I have a choice to lean in or turn away. Time to lean in where ever/whenever/however I can. Like several of you, I read/write a lot about race, including critical white students. Still, this is going to take me some time to process and keep processing. It’s necessary and long overdue. (2) WEAR EARBUDS, not for content of podcast exactly but because the advertising. I skipped through. Only one or two of them. Just a heads up.

 

3. Last week we highlighted concerns surrounding the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ruling that would have banned international students from online-only instruction. Fortunately, this rule was rescinded since; however, there remains much work to do to further advocate for and support international students. Check out this op-ed from Inside Higher Ed by Kavita Dayin which she explains why and how US colleges must/can better support international students.

 

In solidarity,

Ashanka & Shannon