Week 7 & 8

Week 7 & 8

Hard to believe but we are almost at the halfway point in our learning together; the official midterm date is November 15. So it's an important time to take pause and reflect on our learning so far. What has been the highlight for you? This might be some new self-realization, content piece, or 'a-ha' moment, but please do tell me. Perhaps it's even a question floating around in your mind (consciousness).

You read 'The Five Faces of Oppression' by Iris Marion Young; please share your responses to the questions below;

1. Can you think of examples from contexts studied or discussed in class for each of the ‘five faces’?
2. How does intersectionality connect to the ideas in the article; think of an example that can permeate all or several of the ‘faces’ that Young describes.

Jennifer & Nathanael introduced (many but not all) of us to MSF through their seminar presentation. Take time to explore the MSF website and discover more about a chosen area where they are currently working in; summarize your findings on your blog. What type of charitable giving are you doing or will you consider doing in your life? Why have you made this decision.


We explored the 'Unlearn' social enterprise images this past week - this is an activity that I LOVE to do as it brings about such diverse and rich dialogue, but it also raises questions in our minds. Which image was your favourite? Why? What interpretations(s) did you apply to it? What further wonderings do you have about it? How can we use the power of image and design to address (raise awareness & create discourse) social justice issues? Are there examples that you've come across in your further reading? Below is one of my favourite unlearn graphic; it has prompted a lot of dialogue about racism, and specifically the the historical normalization of white supremacy. In using this graphic with young people I've learned that they recognize the richness that we find in diversity rather than use it as a polarizing force, but it is an important dialogue that needs to happen. I love sharing with folks the fact that crayola has altered their practices to reflect equitable perspectives and honor identity. But there is still work to do on this front.




This leads us into some topics we will discuss this week; cultural appropriation. When is it crossing the line between honoring and celebrating a cultural and appropriating it....?
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/naig/wente-racism-sports-mascots-1.3480910

Week 5 & 6

Week 5 & 6

Equity Story Time - was such a great opportunity to collaborate with our peers, I know many of you LOVED IT! as did the kids you worked with. You all rose to the occasion and I am so proud of you all for your commitment and enthusiasm. I wonder what you learned from the experience? What were the takeaways for you? This may relate to your topic and your story specifically or the process of sharing with your peers. What is the power of picture books?

We are going deeper to develop our understanding of power, privilege as we explore the 'myth of the meritocracy'. More on this in the next few weeks. But first consider and reflect on why it's important to study Microaggressions?



Please share your responses to my questions on Peggy McIntosh's; Unpacking the invisible knapsack, here in this weeks blog entry. Did you come across any other academics who have studied privilege and perhaps provide additional or alternative analysis?


How does Justin Ford's 'Multi'dimensional' model for understanding privilege further your understanding? How does it contrast with that of Peggy McIntosh? What are your responsibilities in reference to understanding and recognizing your own privilege that you will/need to act on? How does this connect to our notions of allyship? And what is your privilege pledge?