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As the whole education world is (finally) diving into antiracism training I've been thinking about these kinds of posters and what they mean to/for the individuals that you are (ostensibly) trying to welcome to your space.
A thread with some stories and questions...
A thread with some stories and questions...
I saw these signs while I was travelling last summer and my Spidey Senses went off! I couldn't understand why I was having such a strong, negative reaction.
I couldn't unpack it at the time, but I have been thinking about it since.
I couldn't unpack it at the time, but I have been thinking about it since.
When I set up my classroom at the end of the summer I was still thinking about the signs.
I realized that I *never* put up these kinds of posters and I generally found myself suspicious of them in places & businesses that I was familiar with too.
I realized that I *never* put up these kinds of posters and I generally found myself suspicious of them in places & businesses that I was familiar with too.
My body knew things that I hadn't yet articulated.
Finally figured it out! In my experience these posters can...
serve as a pass for doing real work.
be used as weapons to dismiss our (the "others" in question) lived realities of violence in the space or our critiques.
Finally figured it out! In my experience these posters can...
serve as a pass for doing real work. be used as weapons to dismiss our (the "others" in question) lived realities of violence in the space or our critiques.
is what it is, but is the scary part for me. means folks may act in all kinds of oppressive ways, and when you say anything they get to say "you're wrong, I'm an ally", or the subtext: "you're an ungrateful minority".A story about
->
Some adult wanted to put up a "Refugees Welcome" banner in their school a few years ago.
Another adult who worked closely with these students pushed back, said the kids were uncomfortable with it. They consistently felt othered & segregated, this would make them stand out more.
Another adult who worked closely with these students pushed back, said the kids were uncomfortable with it. They consistently felt othered & segregated, this would make them stand out more.
First adult got offended. Banner went up anyway. The kids in question did not like it.
Thinking about intention vs. impact: the signs are physcial manifestations of folks good intentions, but do they even know if the signs are having the desired impact? Do they care?
Thinking about intention vs. impact: the signs are physcial manifestations of folks good intentions, but do they even know if the signs are having the desired impact? Do they care?
The signs are social contracts.
What PRACTICES and NORMS are we implementing to live by them?
Do we have accountability measures or a culture that facilitates students holding us accountable?
If we're not ready to live by them and be held accountable, then don't put them up.
What PRACTICES and NORMS are we implementing to live by them?
Do we have accountability measures or a culture that facilitates students holding us accountable?
If we're not ready to live by them and be held accountable, then don't put them up.
Not everyone feels the way I do, but if I'm being honest the performative stuff stresses me out as it becomes more common.
I know that if I have to call someone out as they're standing under a BLM poster (or have # BLM in their Twitter bio) it may be a mess.
I know that if I have to call someone out as they're standing under a BLM poster (or have # BLM in their Twitter bio) it may be a mess.
My 2 cents:
Diversifying your content, forming relationships, welcoming critique and publically apologizing > posters.
Hang your poster, do your thing, I just had to get that off my chest as the supposed audience of said posters.
Diversifying your content, forming relationships, welcoming critique and publically apologizing > posters.
Hang your poster, do your thing, I just had to get that off my chest as the supposed audience of said posters.
fin for today, but your girl is still thinking about how token staff are used in our buildings as signs/posters
