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Confronting Bias in Schools: Classroom Conversations on Race, Ethnicity, and Identity LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Transforming Systems to Be Culturally Responsive

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Confronting Bias in Schools: Classroom Conversations on Race, Ethnicity, and Identity LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Transforming Systems to Be Culturally Responsive VOL. 43, NO. 3 | FALL 2019 www.aft.org /ae Confronting Bias CLASSROOM CONVERSATIONS ON RACE, ETHNICITY, in Schools AND IDENTITY AFT votes Your voice, your vote! The AFT is committed to achieving the high- est level of member engagement in our 2020 presidential endorsement process. The endorse- ment is based on the fundamental principle that the more involved our members are, the stronger our collective voice is and the more effective our political role becomes. Together, we can ensure that our collective voice shapes the debate and that we elect a candidate who shares our values and vision for our country. We need to hear from you! Join the process. Stay active and connected. To complete our presidential endorsement survey, share your opinion, and get more information on the process and the candi- dates, text VOTE to 69238. Message and data rates may apply. AFTvotes.org #AFTvotes WHERE WE STAND A Defining Moment for Democracy RANDI WEINGARTEN, AFT President TEACHERS HAVE ALWAYS had a huge food, sleep, and hygiene—is somehow for extended classroom discussions and responsibility for the next generation: To deserved. It is tested when the president debates—where disagreements are over teach and nurture students so they have attacks the freedoms of his political ideas, not people, and dissenting views the opportunity to live fulfilling lives. To enemies and calls an entire religion are respectfully heard, not shouted down; make our classrooms and schools safe and disloyal over political differences. and where opinions need to be supported affirming. To help young people develop In a civil society, there is no “both with logical arguments and evidence, not the skills, confidence, and sense of sides” on matters of human dignity, equal simply asserted. responsibility to be engaged citizens. rights, tolerance of diversity, truth, or the Today the role of America’s teachers rule of law. These are not options against has expanded—they are called on to be which other beliefs can be regarded as guardians of democracy and cultivators of equally worthy. But today these values The president is decency because, while our democracy need defending. and society have never been perfect, today Americans must be clear-eyed about leading a homegrown their very underpinnings are shaken. the perilous time we are in. We must President Trump has trampled rights think seriously about what we can do to hate movement. enshrined in the Constitution and take a stand, and about the implications waged a war on truth. He has fanned of doing nothing. We can’t ignore biases that aim to dehumanize “the Trump’s bigotry and cruelty, or the fact other” and that erode our democracy. that his erratic behavior is intended to He is enamored of despots, and dis- create chaos and confusion. And we can’t tances our allies. He has put commerce assume things won’t get worse. I welcome the exploration of racism and greed over human rights. That is why this summer I gave a in this issue of American Educator, and Trump boasts that the economy is the speech to 1,200 educators at the Ameri- how our schools can counter bias and “best ever,” but nearly all of the benefits of can Federation of Teachers’ TEACH help young people value members of economic growth have gone to the conference about the gravity of our other groups. It is especially important wealthiest Americans and large corpora- situation. While this is not the first time in the aftermath of recent massacres— tions, while millions of Americans tread our democracy has been at risk, today in El Paso, where the shooter drove 600 water. Forty percent of Americans say educators play a crucial role in its miles with the intent to kill Latinos; and they couldn’t cover a $400 emergency. survival. Why? Because our members are the targeting of black churchgoers in More than 28 million Americans are at the nexus of public education and the Charleston, and of Jews attending a uninsured. Today’s average wage has the labor movement, which provide direct synagogue in Pittsburgh. same purchasing power as in 1978. The pathways to broad-based prosperity and Our public schools play a vital role in median American family has just $5,000 pluralism, and a better life. creating a more perfect union because, saved for retirement. Americans hold The fight to safeguard democracy at its best, public education provides a $1.6 trillion in student debt. And teachers, begins in America’s classrooms and ladder of opportunity, a path out of who routinely spend their own money on schools, where we both embrace poverty, and a place where America’s supplies for their students, are paid America’s diversity and forge a common great pluralism is celebrated. Democ- almost 20 percent less than similarly identity. Our public schools are where racy in education has always been the educated professionals. young people develop the skills they foundation for providing education for Yet Trump is not addressing these need to be engaged and empowered democracy. problems. Instead, he is stoking Ameri- citizens—voice, latitude, and the ability When this moment in history is ca’s divisions in order to exploit them. to think for oneself. Teachers must have written, let it be said that Americans Our very moral character as a nation the freedom to teach these skills—which defended what is best about our country, is tested when government leaders may not be measured on standardized and fought the worst. That hope won portray immigrants and asylum seekers tests, but which are the measure of a against fear, aspiration over frustration, not as people in need, but as invaders so vibrant citizenry. and humanity over cruelty. That we threatening and worthless that the When classrooms are freed from the defeated demagoguery. And that our government’s inhumane treatment of tyranny of standardized testing and public schools were a sturdy cornerstone them—denying even children adequate lockstep pacing calendars, there is time helping to preserve our democracy. AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2019 1 Download this issue for free at www.aft.org/ae. UNION HIGHLIGHTS VOL. 43, NO. 3 | FALL 2019 www.aft.org /ae OUR MISSION TheAmerican Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic 4 Assessing—and opportunity; and high-quality public Interrupting— education, healthcare and public Intolerance at School services for our students, their families By Maureen Costello and and our communities. We are committed Coshandra Dillard to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, A report by the Southern Poverty collective bargaining and political Law Center finds a disturbing rise activism, and especially through the work in school-based hate and bias our members do. incidents that reflect the political turmoil roiling our nation. 23 Responding to RANDI WEINGARTEN Anti-Muslim Bias President LORRETTA JOHNSON 8 Developing Inclusive Youth A Q&A with Debbie Almontaser Secretary-Treasurer EVELYN DEJESUS How to Reduce Social Exclusion Executive Vice President and Foster Equality and Equity 24 AFT Resolution Opposition to Anti-Muslim in Childhood JENNIFER DUBIN Bigotry, Discrimination, and By Melanie Killen Managing Editor Violence SEAN LISHANSKY A researcher of children’s social Copyeditor and moral development explains 26 School Integration LUKE STEELE how teachers can lead discus- Editorial Coordinator How It Can Promote Social JENNIFER CHANG sions about bias and promote Cohesion and Combat Racism Art Director intergroup friendships to reduce By Richard D. Kahlenberg, Halley JENNIFER BERNEY Graphic Designer prejudice. Potter, and Kimberly Quick RACHEL ANDERSON Production Assistant 13 Race to Improve A powerful tool for tolerance lies in Teacher Education school integration, which holds AMERICAN EDUCATOR (ISSN 0148-432X, USPS 008-462) is published quarterly by the American Federation of Building Awareness for civic and socioemotional benefits Teachers, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC Instructional Practice for all students. 20001-2079. Phone: 202-879-4400. www.aft.org By H. Richard Milner IV Letters to the editor may be sent to the address above 31 Demystifying the or to [email protected]. Teachers must be supported in AMERICAN EDUCATOR cannot assume responsibility for “Safe Space” unsolicited manuscripts. building their knowledge not only How to Lead Meaningful Race Please allow a minimum of four weeks for copyright of content but also of how race permission requests. Conversations in the Classroom and racist acts still influence Signed articles do not necessarily represent the By Matthew R. Kay viewpoints or policies of the AFT. society and education. AMERICAN EDUCATOR is mailed to AFT teachers and One Philadelphia teacher early childhood members as a benefit of membership. 18 Engaging in Meaningful explores how educators can help Subscriptions represent $2.50 of annual dues. Non-AFT members may subscribe by mailing $10 per year by Conversations students feel safe enough to check or money order to the address below. The Need to Foster Ethnic-Racial discuss race in class. MEMBERS: To change your address or subscription, notify your local union treasurer or visit www.aft.org/ Identity in School members. By Deborah Rivas-Drake and 35 Teaching the Complex POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Adriana J. Umaña-Taylor History of Abolition and Educator, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC the Civil War 20001-2079. Research shows that cultivating a Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC, and By Adam Sanchez additional mailing offices. strong ethnic-racial identity in young people enables them to A social studies teacher explains © 2019 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, AFL-CIO still value other groups and helps the importance of presenting them engage in more positive slavery’s demise as a result of Cover illustration: relationships with their peers. collective struggle.
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