Note: This includes the fourth set of thought questions related to Austin Channing Brown’s book, I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.
Thought Questions for July 15 (pages 112-130)
Chapter 8: The Story We Tell
Chapter 9: Creative Anger
Interlude: How to Survive Racism in an Organization that Claims to be Antiracist
“Anger is not inherently destructive. My anger can be a force for good. My anger can be creative and imaginative, seeing a better world that doesn’t yet exist. It can fuel a righteous movement toward justice and freedom” (Brown 126).
Anger is an appropriate reaction to injustice, but Austin shares that she really struggled to become comfortable expressing that anger. How can we do a better job of listening to the anger of people of color? How can predominately white organizations make space to respond in supportive ways to the anger people of color express?
Understanding our racial history gives us context for current racial disparities. How much do you know about the racial disparities in the following systems? How can you learn more?
Education
Home Ownership
Health/Health Access
Criminal Justice
Wealth
Wages
Laura Bolin Carroll, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Adams Center for Teaching and Learning
Next Reading
July 29 (pages 131-164)
Chapter 10: The Ritual of Fear
Chapter 11: A God of the Accused
Chapter 12: We’re Still Here
Interlude: A Letter to My Son