Resisting Racism and Promoting Equity Through Community-Engaged Social Action: Challenging the Big Lies

This book challenges pre-service and in-service educators to reflect critically on their assumptions and engage in praxis promoting racial and social equity. It argues that racial inequities exacerbated during the Trump administration and the legacy of neo-liberal policies require community-engaged strategies to advance equity. It advocates for collaboration among schools, community organizations, businesses, university centers, and community activists to address historically pressing issues such as systemic racism, declining educational opportunities, limited access to ongoing health care, and the decline of civility in public life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the complex issues surrounding race and social equity in education. It challenges pre-service and in-service educators to critically examine their assumptions and engage in practices that promote racial and social justice. Grounded in policy contexts, historical understandings, and critical theories, the book offers innovative community-engaged approaches to resisting racism and promoting equity. It features reflections and personal narratives from partners in change, including on-the-ground activists, voices from younger and older generations, educators, and first-time writers.

The authors argue that racial inequities, which have been exacerbated by the Trump administration and the legacy of neo-liberal policies dating back to the New Federalism, demand the invocation of community-engaged strategies to advance equity. The book advocates for collaboration among schools, community organizations, businesses, university centers, and community activists to address historically pressing issues such as systemic racism, declining educational opportunities, limited access to ongoing health care, and the decline of civility in public life.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of recognizing and challenging white supremacy ideology. The authors argue that this ideology has been perpetuated for centuries and has led to systemic racial discrimination and inequality. They suggest that educators must be aware of their own biases and work to counteract them, promoting a more inclusive and equitable education system.

Another important theme of the book is the need for community engagement in education reform. The authors argue that education cannot be solely the responsibility of schools and that community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders must also play a role in promoting equity. They offer examples of successful community-engaged initiatives, such as community-based learning programs and youth leadership development programs, that have had a positive impact on students and communities.

The book also highlights the importance of addressing the historical legacies of racism and discrimination in education. The authors argue that these legacies continue to impact students and communities today, and that educators must work to address them through curriculum reform, cultural sensitivity training, and other strategies.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and community activists who are committed to promoting racial and social equity in education. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding race and social equity and provides practical strategies for addressing them. By challenging pre-service and in-service educators to reflect critically on their assumptions and engage in practices that promote equity, the book contributes to the ongoing effort to create a more just and equitable education system for all students.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032133614