Session 1 Pre- Study
Message from Anton: Thank you everyone for your desire to make this world a better place and to equip yourself and your school to be successful agents of change. I have attached to this email a few simple articles on what “privilege” is and how it works. And for those ready to dig deeper, here are some recommended books. None of these writings is a silver bullet solution. In fact, they all have problems as well as some really good points. Think of the reading as an effort to get more familiar with some of the concepts and thinking in the field of racial equity rather than a blueprint for the work. But they do offer some different and distinct perspectives on race that can help us in our efforts. I look forward to leaning into a productive year with you!

1. Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism: This is a really good analysis of how our discomfort and focus on individualism makes it so hard to get everyone engaged in a productive discussion about race.
2. Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed: I needed a bottle of aspirin and thesaurus to get through this, but he is considered the grandfather of critical race theory and provides a brilliant, though wide-ranging analysis of oppression in all its forms and a pedagogy for liberation as well.
3. Ta-Nehesi Coates, Between the World and Me: This one might seem less optimistic than some of the other writings in the field, but Coates write incredibly well and a lot of people relate to personal narrative rather than academic talk. If you want an authentic perspective from a great black writer, it’s worth your time.
   
4. Glenn Singleton, Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Equity in Schools: Singleton has taken Freire’s theory and narrowed the focus to race and it’s function in schools. It’s more practical and easier to read than Freire. His organization has done a lot of teacher trainings in the Twin Cities metro, and it’s helpful to get the cliff notes to their curriculum for the content and an awareness of the racial equity training space.
5. Anton Treuer, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: This is a good foray into cultural competency on Indigenous people—terminology, history, culture, and hot button topics.

All readings are optional. I’ll have some required homework for us all when we meet next. We are still sorting the calendar out, but we will find something that works for everyone. Thank you again, everyone. Anton

Get a signed copy directly from Anton and stay local by going here:  https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/shop/everything-anton-treuer/

The Guide for White Women Who Teach Black Boys

______________________________________________________

MNOHS Racial Equity Team (with Anton Treuer)

Anton Treuer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/95215270035

Meeting ID: 952 1527 0035
Passcode: 519530

Resources always accessible at :  https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/mnohs-diversity-and-inclusion-project

a.martin@mail.mnohs.org;
c.primeaux@mail.mnohs.org;
d.ferm@mail.mnohs.org;
e.raffa@mail.mnohs.org;
m.derosier@mail.mnohs.org;
sm.carsello@mail.mnohs.org;
s.snidarich@mail.mnohs.org;
drb@bridgescreate.com;
elissa@otenet.gr;
anton.treuer@bemidjistate.edu