Let's Talk About Race: Much More Frequently

• In Event: 2422 - Workshop on Handling Controversial Topics in a Controversial Era

Abstract

Race is one of the central analytical dimensions of sociology, but many sociologists are reticent to broach the topic in their classrooms. If it's covered, students report that the professor significantly limits dialogue-- seemingly fearing things "getting out of control." But, the reality is that students really WANT to discuss this critical issue.

This workshop invites you to find ways to discuss controversial topics like race in your classroom by trusting that students can handle it. I have been making a practice of this and have learned a few things:

Small, consistently-populated, student-led discussion groups are especially productive because they humanize various points of view. Students realize that they cannot be hyper-reactive to views with which they disagree and still expect to have exploratory discussions. Generally students elect to temper their reactiveness so they can genuinely explore different views. This is a unique opportunity to test what you think is true and to hear what others think and why they think it.

There will be hot spots, and you have to be ready to manage this by encouraging students to stay calm and to try not to react so much as to become curious about the emotion surrounding their reaction. A classroom is a unique place that puts us in a broad social setting. Students can be surprised to discover that how they word something might cause a strong reaction. But most students take that in as an insight if the reaction can be managed as non-threatening. Building rapport in small, student-facilitated groups helps to provide a cushion for honest exchanges.

This workshop invites you to share your experiences and anxieties so that many more of us can engage this critical topic in a wide range of classes and on a much more regular basis.

Authors

• Suzanne R. Goodney Lea, Interactivity Foundation

• Deveraux Christian Smith