Ep. 96: Moving Beyond Tropes--A Discussion about BHM in Schools

Essential Question: How can you move your work with BHM out of whitewashed ideals and into a less basic space?

In this episode, Megan and Hope discuss the importance of Black History Month, why it’s still needed and how teachers should continuously embed the stories and histories of Black people all year long.

Decentering whiteness and white comfort at this time of the year is crucial for any educator but especially those who tout their anti-racist identity. Many of us are taught that there is a Villain, Victim, and a Hero in every story. White people have been taught our whole lives that they are the heroes, and if they can’t be the heroes then they are the victims. White allies need to be comfortable accepting that they are not the heroes in the antiracism story and that in fact, they have been the villains to the BIPOC experience for centuries. White people need to actively work to not center whiteness or white comfort.

Resources referenced:

Amazing resources 28 Days of Black History sends daily historical moments w/ relevant links (written by POCs)
5 Ways White Allies can Celebrate Black History Month All Year Long
Teaching Tolerance aka Learning for Justice BHM Resources; Why we Need to Teach BHM especially this year

Who to follow on social media:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Hope: Continue to integrate BHM into your lessons this month and don’t give up on this aspect of the work even in a pandemic.
Megan: Go follow Garrison Hayes - and then do/read what he recommends. His Instagram is good, but his Tiktok is better. Garrison Hayes - TikTok - Insta @garrisonh

Book Club Reminder:

Pick up a copy of Caste by Isabel Wilkerson to join the collab book club between The Nerd Farmer Podcast and IWL.

Tweet about the book with either #nerdfarmreads or #readlessbasic