Breathing In and Breathing Out: Relinquishing Social Justice as Core Belief

• In Event: Complicating Notions of Justice

Abstract

Using testimonio methodology (Beverly, 2003; Latina Feminist Group, 2001; Reyes & Rodriguez, 2012) over a four year time period, this manuscript describes the testimonio and struggle of a Chicanx activist social studies teacher slowly and seemingly subconsciously letting go of social justice and critical teaching. Mr. Gomez, taught Latinx students in a large urban high school. Initially teaching with social justice, using ethnic and community histories to develop students’ beliefs in their own agency he moved away from these beliefs over the course of the study. Mr. Gomez softened, relinquished and eventually critiqued his own social justice teaching choices advocating for the narrow uniformity of the district assigned curriculum.

Author

• Brian C. Gibbs, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill