Increasing Historical Diversity

Increasing Historical Diversity

Ibram X. Kendi

"The opposite of racist ins't 'Not Racist.' It is 'Anti-Racist." What's the difference?...One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an Ant-Racist.

There is no in-between safe space of 'Not-Racist.'"

Open Ended

In one or two words, what does that quote mean to you?

What is race?

A social construct, a human invention used to classify people by use of physical characteristics.

What is ethnicity?

Ancestry, family origin, genealogy, and sometimes related to nationalism.

What is culture?

Includes language. values, beliefs, traditions, food, music, clothing, holidays, and sometimes religion.

Open Ended

What is racism?

Systems and structures that have procedures or processes that cause disadvantages to groups of people.

What is anti-racism?

The active process of identifying and eliminating racism, by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices, and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably

Who do you recognize?

• Do you know the names of the individuals in the following photos? Do you know what each person is known for?

• Make a brief note of what you know about each individual (if known).

Person One

Do you know who I am?

Person Two

Do you know who I am?

Person Three

Do you know who I am?

Person Four

Do you know who I am?

Poll

How many people did you recognize?

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Who were these men?

Let's have a quick discussion about who these men were.

Ready to play again?

Person One

Do you know who I am?

Person Two

Do you know who I am?

Person Three

Do you know who I am?

Person Four

Do you know who I am?

Poll

How many people did you recognize?

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Who were these men and women?

Let's have a quick discussion about who these people were.

Open Ended

In a sentence or two, tell us why you think the men in the first set of slides are more well known.

Why are these faces unknown?

• We are educating students in what we have been taught.

• Many textbooks gloss over (or omit) stories of POC/white ally contributions to our national history.

Why Representation Matters

• Positive historical narratives can make students feel proud, validated, and inspired.

• Erasure of positive white history can change the way POC and white students view each other.

Ways to Increase Diversity in your Classroom

• Practice "Culturally Responsive Teaching."

• Include diverse literature during Read Aloud.

• Incorporate real world problems into teaching.

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Open Ended

Which story do you think you would like to share with your class?

Open Ended

In a few words, what is one small step you think you will take to increase positive diversity in your classroom?