Using literacy approaches to begin the conversation on racial illiteracy

What is it about?

The purpose of this teaching tip is to support elementary teachers in the thoughtful, deliberate use of literacy strategies to facilitate dialogue about racism and social justice advocacy. If white educators are committed to working toward racial justice, this means taking a hard look in the mirror for self-examination and exploring how to create a classroom community where potentially difficult conversations about racial inequality are supported in a safe, nonjudgmental space.

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Why is it important?

"Racism is among the most emotionally and politically charged issues in society” (DiAngelo, 2012, p. 19), but it is especially important for educators to take a hard look at the impact of racism on our educational system, our students, and our role in perpetuating structures that prevent children from reaching their full potential. Because roughly 80% of educators are middle-class white women (National Center for Education Statistics, 2013) and students are increasingly racially and ethnically diverse, white teachers have the most to learn and often operate from a position of power in school communities.