A Pathway to Racial Literacy: Using the LETS ACT Framework to Teach Controversial Issues

Autor/inn/en	King, LaGarrett J.; Vickery, Amanda E.; Caffrey, Genevieve
Titel	A Pathway to Racial Literacy: Using the LETS ACT Framework to Teach Controversial Issues
Quelle	In: Social Education, 82 (2018) 6, S.316 (5 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0037-7724
Schlagwörter	Race; Racial Attitudes; Racial Bias; Controversial Issues (Course Content); Literacy; Social Studies; Definitions; Teaching Methods; Transformative Learning; Classroom Communication; Stress Management; Reflection; Writing Assignments; Critical Thinking; Citizenship Education; Social Action + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Rasse; Abstammung; Rassenfrage; Racial discrimination; Rassismus; Controversial issues; Kontroverse; Alphabetisierung; Schreib- und Lesefähigkeit; Gemeinschaftskunde; Begriffsbestimmung; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Pädagogische Transformation; Klassengespräch; Stressmanagement; Stressbewältigung; Kritisches Denken; Citizenship; Education; Politische Bildung; Politische Erziehung; Staatsbürgerliche Erziehung; Soziales Handeln
Abstract	Because race is treated as a controversial issue within K-12 social studies classrooms, teachers report avoiding the topic. Some consider it too sensitive or complex for their students; others don't want to say the wrong thing; still others fear being labeled a "racist." The authors argue that one of the reasons why social studies teachers feel this way is because they lack a common racial literacy. In many ways, we speak different racial languages, causing confusion and hindering understanding. Literacy, therefore, involves defining race and racism. Racial literacy understands race as a socially constructed concept--not a biological reality--that was set up to govern or control people on the basis of their skin color. Although it is an invented concept, race is nevertheless real for those who are victim to the social construct's manifestations in actions and thoughts, and to the systems that have been created to oppress and privilege certain groups of people. Achieving racial literacy enables people to understand that the way race is defined can change and is highly malleable based on geographic and temporal considerations. This article introduces the seven steps of the LETS ACT Framework, developed to guide teachers in their efforts to foster racial literacy skills when exploring controversial issues in classrooms. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	National Council for the Social Studies. 8555 Sixteenth Street #500, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel: 800-683-0812; Tel: 301-588-1800; Fax: 301-588-2049; e-mail: membership@ncss.org; Web site: http://www.socialstudies.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01