Theory into Practice - FINAL BLOG! (assignment B)

 Teaching at the Intersections

by Monita Bell

5 Tips for Being an Ally

by @chescaleigh on Youtube

In the online article Teaching at the Intersections by Monita Bell, the key idea of intersectionality is explored. The article defines intersectionality as, "the social, economic and political ways in which identity-based systems of oppression and privilege connect, overlap and influence one another." (Bell) This concept is critical for movement towards equity within education, as many of our students are not only limited in one area systemically, but multiple. For example, an African American female student living in poverty does not only face systemic discrimination for her race, but also for her gender, and for her socioeconomic status. The article goes on to encourage educators to not only understand intersectionality but to explicitly address it with their students. Bell says, "By emphasizing intersectionality, she equips her students with the skills to examine why they believe what they believe, why their beliefs might differ from others’ and to determine how their beliefs might be influenced by power and privilege." This reminds me of the article Privilege, Power, and Difference by Johnson, where he calls for an acknowledgement of the two-sided coin of privilege and discrimination. Bell's call for action is for educators to directly talk about how power and privilege is prevalent in our society and how those with power can be the catalysts for change. 

The idea of intersectionality really envelops all of the work we have done this semester. We know that one individual person may have some identities of privilege and some identities that can result in discrimination. We are all complex humans with different identities that make us, us. (Shoutout to Johnson's Diversity Wheel in his article Privilege, Power, and Difference for a great visual of the complexity of our identities!) To best support our students success, not only academically but socially as well, educators must address power and privilege. We must have a deep understanding that stereotypes are bogus and that everyone is so unique (and beautiful) in their identities. We must learn to celebrate our students for who they are, not who society thinks they "should" be. Finally we MUST lead by example and show our students that we not only call ourselves allies but we put the work in to fight for what is right, and what is right is a society where everyone can be successful and happy. 

Throughout the video 5 Tips for Being an Ally by @chescaleigh, different steps for being an active part of the solution around inequality is discussed. The speaker recommends five different things for people to do in order to be a true ally in the fight against discrimination in the United States. The five steps are titled: Understand your privilege, Listen and do your homework, Speak up not over, Stay in your lane, and Ally is a verb. I appreciated the speakers discussion around the word privilege. As we have discussed in class, and have read through multiple works this semester, many people have an issue with the word privilege and refuse to acknowledge its existence within society. Without using the words, as Johnson mentioned in his article Privilege, Power, and Difference, we cannot begin the necessary change towards an equitable society. We must acknowledge that certain members of our community do not have to worry about discrimination in the same ways as other community members. The last step named Ally is a Verb also stood out to me. We must not simply state that we are an ally against discrimination, but instead use our power, privilege, and access to enact real systemic change that will allow all people to be treated decently.