Ep. 180: Read Less Basic--Nice White Ladies Abroad

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Our ongoing discussion revolves around Jessie Daniels' impactful book, "Nice White Ladies," published last spring. We previously interviewed Jessie Daniels in Ep 165 in November and featured in Ep 176: Read Less Basic Book Club with Annie Jansen, Chrisstina McDade, and Marco Manuel in April.

Given the richness of this book, we’ve brought in some incredible guests and longtime listeners to further challenge and expand our thinking, particularly weaving in perspectives as international teachers living outside of the West.. Joining us today is Crissy Calera, Christine Bates, and Adi Anicole.

Ep. 65: Throw Out the White Canon #DisruptTexts

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EQ: Why is it important to interrogate our notions of a traditional “canon” and create a more inclusive curriculum (especially ELA)?

Guests today are Julia Torres, Tricia Ebarvia two of the amazing women who started the #disrupttexts movement.

To learn more about the work of Julia Torres

To learn more about the work of Tricia Ebarvia

In our conversation we discuss the impetus for the creation and organization of #disrupttexts and why this is a critical movement for educators in 2020. When we asked which text had met the greatest pushback from traditional canon advocates, we thought for sure the answer would be Shakespeare or Lord of the Flies. Surprisingly, it is the stance against To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby that has met the most white fragility. Julia and Tricia remind us that what we value will be what is centered in our classrooms. The inclination for ELA teachers to hold tight to their ideals about the canon are completing rooted in a cultural canon constructed and perpetuated by a racist system. The notion of cultural capital is inherently white and we have to change that. We have to have the knowledge, will, and capacity to do what we can to change this system. 

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Champagne & Real Pain

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