(Our)Story: African Diaspora Literacy as a Healing and Restorative Antidote to Anti-Blackness

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on Dismantling Racial Injustice by focusing on Constructing Educational Possibilities. Drawing on the theme "A Call to Action," the symposium acknowledges anti-Blackness literature but emphasizes research-based pedagogical practices as an antidote to injustice. Scholar-practitioners use their experiences to interrogate anti-Blackness, striving for liberation. African Diaspora Literacy, centered on Blackness from a Pro-Black perspective, serves as a tool to (re)member histories and promote self-identities and liberation. The collective work on African Diaspora Literacy presents different perspectives contributing to the conversation on liberation. The papers explore conceptualizations of African Diaspora Literacy in classrooms, embrace Black language for healing, and illustrate the integration of African Diaspora Literacy with state-mandated standards in P-12 classrooms.

Sub Unit

• Division K - Teaching and Teacher Education / Division K - Section 09: Initial Teacher and Teacher Educator Preparation

Chair

• Gloria S. Boutte, University of South Carolina

Papers

• Toward an African Diaspora Literacy Classroom - Jarvais Jackson, Georgia Southern University

• More Than a Language: (Re)membering Black Language for Healing - Eli M. Davis, University of South Carolina; LaTracey McDowell, University of South Carolina

• Just Africanize It - Janice Baines, University of South Carolina

Discussant

• Dywanna Smith, Claflin University