Thursday, 31 January 2019

think, rethink, learn, unlearn

Lots of conversations in this corner of the crafting community (see Ravelry's summary to start) about inclusion, racism, and privilege.  This is not a new conversation for me; as an educator I have been working on examining my own privilege, biases, role in an unjust system, and role as an educator in a position of authority and influence.  I know very little for sure, but one thing I do know is that in order to change my own thinking I have to read, research, reflect, and act.  Reading reviews or excerpts of someone else's learning brings little meta-cognition or internal change.   To read first- hand experiences and to understand the larger context, go to Instagram and look at stories by @astitchtowear @booksandcables @su.krita and others.

The best thing that I can do is to recommend books that help me frame my own understanding.  I have been raised to believe I am White.  I have inherited and benefited from the privileges that those who are seen as White are afforded.   I recommend:

To know more about being seen as White and the privileges this affords:


To learn about those who viewed as "other" or People of Colour (PoC or BIPoC) and their lived experiences:




To understand the historical roots of racism and the impact this still has on individuals today (both are told through historical fiction):


I have read all of these over the past few years (or more recently, for some) and all still stay with me as I continue to grow and learn.

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