Ep. 98: #ReadLessBasic Book Club--Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
We’re joined by Nerd Farm podcast host, Nate Bowling and Middle School Humanities teacher, Crissy Calera for this discussion of Caste, our #readlessbasic book club choice. We’re also delighted to include recordings from Megan’s students as they share their encounters with the text. This rich and challenging book is more complex than this hour of conversation could capture. After listening to the podcast, please check out the episode released on Nerd Farmer Podcast. #NerdFarmReads and Caste in K-12 & Policing
We also encouraged you to read some of the following sources:
Ep. 65: Throw Out the White Canon #DisruptTexts
EQ: Why is it important to interrogate our notions of a traditional “canon” and create a more inclusive curriculum (especially ELA)?
Guests today are Julia Torres, Tricia Ebarvia two of the amazing women who started the #disrupttexts movement.
To learn more about the work of Julia Torres
Vice-President and President of the regional NCTE affiliate–The Colorado Language Arts Society
To learn more about the work of Tricia Ebarvia
Literacy consultant & fellow for The Educator Collaborative.
Contributes regularly to Moving Writers and Write Share Connect
In our conversation we discuss the impetus for the creation and organization of #disrupttexts and why this is a critical movement for educators in 2020. When we asked which text had met the greatest pushback from traditional canon advocates, we thought for sure the answer would be Shakespeare or Lord of the Flies. Surprisingly, it is the stance against To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby that has met the most white fragility. Julia and Tricia remind us that what we value will be what is centered in our classrooms. The inclination for ELA teachers to hold tight to their ideals about the canon are completing rooted in a cultural canon constructed and perpetuated by a racist system. The notion of cultural capital is inherently white and we have to change that. We have to have the knowledge, will, and capacity to do what we can to change this system.
Other References & Resources:
James Banks Approaches to Multicultural Education
Carol Anderson We Are Not Yet Equal
Evette Dionne Lifting As We Climb
Ibram X. Kendhi Stamped From the Beginning
Tiffany Jewel This Book is Antiracist
Liz Ann Baez Aguilar “Having Courageous Conversations in the Classroom”
Val Brown “Clear the Air”
Champagne & Real Pain
👎🏻 👎🏻 Barnes & Nobles “Fake Diversity”
Do Your Fudging HW:
Hope: Go read some of the blog posts on #disrupttexts and then take ONE action to applying an idea in your current unit or build multiple steps into an upcoming unit
Annie: check out past #disrupttexts Twitter chats to see how educators are engaging with this awesome organization
Julia: a) Buy #disrupttexts gear and wear it or give it to a friend b) Read “hard history” and counternarratives--Indigenous History of the US, Stamped by Kendi & Reynolds, Evette Dionne Lifting As We Climb
Tricia: read all the things that Julia said and “The Racial Healing Handbook” by Dr. Singh
Follow us on Twitter @IWL_Podcast or Facebook: Interchangeable White Ladies Podcast
Ep. 30: Decolonize Your Bookshelf
EQ: Why is important to decolonize your bookshelf and how do you do it?
Guest: Kristen Sierra, Tacoma born & raised, Lincoln teacher-librarian, TPS mom
Kristen helps us understand what it means to decolonize your bookshelf, including challenging us to read more authors from diverse backgrounds! We also learn more about Project Lit, a Nashville based program that addresses the problem of “book deserts” in urban areas. This program focuses on providing high-quality, culturally relevant books that empower students as readers and leaders.
Support her work to transform the Lincoln Library by:
Donating to Project Lit Lincoln Abes
Learn more information about Project Lit as a Nation wide Movement:
Jared Amato who started Project Lit
Project LIT: How a Nashville educator turned a class project into a nationwide movement
Other useful links:
Contact for Tacoma Public Schools Library Director for information on supporting our Milgard Fundraiser & support in general: Ms. Suzanna Panter: spanter@tacoma.K12.wa.us
Link to Tacoma Public School Library websites for supportive citizens to contact their local school librarian (scroll down and click on the name of the school) https://www.tacomaschools.org/libraries/Pages/default.aspx
Contact for our Superintendent & our Assistant Superintendent to voice your support of school libraries:
Superintendent Santorno: csantor@tacoma.K12.wa.us; Superintendent Pace: tpace@tacoma.K12.wa.us
Link to requesting materials and sharing suggestions with our Tacoma Public Library (must sign in first to access this feature)
Attendance at events matters and created more opportunities for events! Link to event pages
Come out to Kwame Alexander Author Event on 10/15 at Urban Grace in Tacoma: tickets here
Guilty Favsies:
Hope: good ranch dressing (fancy spices)
Annie: niiiiice office supplies.
Kristen---People, Gossip
Do Your Fudging Homework:
Annie: use your public library. Support your neighborhood school’s library. Libraries are vital to our communities.
Kristen: buy a book for our library! Donate to Project Lit Lincoln Abes
Special Announcement:
We are going to read White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo! #IWLreads #readlessbasic