Critical White Studies Part III ~ White Capital

Critical White Studies Part III ~ White Capital

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

What has value and worth in our lives?
What has significance, capital and access to power, control and dominance?
How about the “capital” of our identity and that of others?

Part III of Critical White Studies provides some answers and of course, critical questions that may linger.

Five Part Series ~
Critical White Studies I: White Privilege
Critical White Studies II: White Knapsack
Critical White Studies III: White Capital
Critical White Studies IV: Aversive Racism by the Well Intentioned
Critical White Studies V: White Loss

Critical White Studies Part IV ~ Aversive Racism by the Well-Intentioned

Critical White Studies Part IV ~ Aversive Racism by the Well-Intentioned

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

“Hey, slavery happened long, long ago!” “We were not there!” “We do not own slaves!”
“We no longer lynch anyone!”
“I harbor no ill will towards anyone.” “We are now a color blind society.” “We are a melting pot.”
“I do not believe or support White Supremacy, Domestic Terrorism and Hate Groups!”
“I understand that all lives matter.” “What more do you want from White America?”
One of the most difficult concepts to explain is “aversive racism by the well intentioned.”

Five Part Series ~
Critical White Studies I: White Privilege
Critical White Studies II: White Knapsack
Critical White Studies III: White Capital
Critical White Studies IV: Aversive Racism by the Well Intentioned
Critical White Studies V: White Loss

Critical White Studies Part V ~ White Loss

Critical White Studies Part V ~ White Loss

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

Diversity has always been with us.
So why the division on inclusivity and equity?
Why the lingering fear by some “white people” of losing their power, control and of being replaced?
Why the contrived “fear mongering” meant to divide, exclude and suppress?

A Democracy calls for all citizens to be included, treated with dignity and empowered in order to enhance the quality of life for all.

So why the angst with “white loss”?

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933

Never Too Early ~ Producing a Globally Sensitive Generation

Never Too Early ~ Producing a Globally Sensitive Generation

ByGloria Lopata - Prosperi

Increasingly, one of the challenges of a homogenous teacher population teaching an exponentially growing heterogenous student body from diverse families and backgrounds requires rethinking what teaching and learning means in the 21st Century.
It becomes the responsibility of teachers to challenge social -isms and phobias so as to create safe cultural school environments that accept, affirm and build on the identities of all students with respect, dignity and integrity.

The Truth is the Truth ~ All Else Is an Option ~ History Tells Us So

The Truth is the Truth ~ All Else Is an Option ~ History Tells Us So

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

Why has it been so hard for human beings historically to admit the TRUTH?
Is it our social-cultural-political-religious ego, our propensity to believe that “right is right and we are always right?”
Is it that the TRUTH reflects and reveals our constructed flawed identities?
Seriously, what is it about us that draws us to deviate from veracity with options, even when the TRUTH is staring back?

Aboriginal Ritual Chant

Aboriginal Ritual Chant

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

Aboriginal Ritual Chant – Anonymous
The spirits of native people endures and lives on.
Heritage and human dignity passed on through centuries of sacrifice, resiliency and perseverance.
Nature – the land guarding its ancestral treasures.
With each chant we hear anguish turned to eloquence and forgiveness.
How human to include those who only knew how to plunder.

Thinking Critically ~ Brain-Based Learning and Teaching

Thinking Critically ~ Brain-Based Learning and Teaching

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

As educators, we often share with parents that we don’t only teach content, but we teach young minds.
While being well intended, the comment is vague. What is not mentioned is that what we are really talking about is the complexities of our brain and how it learns. Ultimately, our goal is to provide each brain with pathways and maps by which to navigate knowledge, to decipher it critically and fall in love with the voyage.

Ethnographic Citizenry ~ Able to Observe Diversity and Embrace It

Ethnographic Citizenry ~ Able to Observe Diversity and Embrace It

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

The Zulu greeting of “Sawubona” means “I see you.”
These are more than words of politeness.
Sawubona carries the importance of recognizing the worth and dignity of each person.
It says, “I see the whole of you—your experiences, your passions, your pain, your strengths and weaknesses, and your future. You are valuable to me.”
Sawubona is also infused with the belief that when others “see” me, then I exist.
The common response is “Shiboka”, which means “I exist for you”.
These are more than greetings.
Awareness and observation go far beyond looking and seeing – a matter of validating presence.