Authenticity Withougt Being Inauthentic: Buzzwords, Trends, and The Social Justice "Agenda"

• In Event: Authenticity & Accountability in the Work of Educational Justice

Abstract

Compelling phrases can be created to define latest interests and goals in educational scholarship. These phrases are often used to title books, steer faculty meetings, used within administrative documents, spoken in meetings and conversations. Phrases can often become empty and instead of creating new paradigms and
progressing educational changes, words of unfulfilled intent fill our faculty meetings. It is essential for critical educators to interrogate the introduction of these phrases and to ensure that they are used with authenticity and held accountable as substantial ways in which to know. This interrogation allows us to examine and question the nature, viability, motivation, power, and accuracy of the latest buzzwords and trends, and the authenticity of Social Justice.

Author

• Shirley Steinberg, University of Calgary