Doing Race In Social Studies

Race and racism are a foundational part of the global and American experience. With this idea in mind, our social studies classes should reflect this reality. Social studies educators often have difficulties teaching about race within the context of their classrooms due to a variety of institutional and personal factors. Doing Race in Social Studies: Critical Perspectives provides teachers at all levels with research in social studies and critical race theory (CRT) and specific content ideas for how to teach about race within their social studies classes. The chapters in this book serve to fill the gap between the theoretical and the practical, as well as help teachers come to a better understanding of how teaching social studies from a CRT perspective can be enacted. The chapters included in this volume are written by prominent scholars in the field of social studies and CRT. They represent an original melding of CRT concepts with considerations of enacted social studies pedagogy. This volume addresses a void in the social studies conversation about race—how to think and teach about race within the social science disciplines that comprise the social studies. Given the original nature of this work, Doing Race in Social Studies: Critical Perspectives is a much-needed addition to the conversation about race and social studies education.

In a follow up to the book, Doing Race in Social Studies (2015), this new volume addresses practical considerations of teaching about race within the context of history, geography, government, economics, and the behavioral sciences.

Substantial research has been put forth calling for the field of social studies education to engage in work dealing with the influence of race and racism within education and society (Branch, 2003; Chandler, 2015; Chandler & Hawley, 2017; Husband, 2010; King & Chandler, 2016; Ladson-Billings, 2003; Ooka Pang, Rivera & Gillette, 1998). Previous contributions have examined the presence and influence of race/ism within the field of social studies teaching and research (e.g. Chandler, 2015, Chandler & Hawley, 2017; Ladson-Billings, 2003; Woyshner & Bohan, 2012). In order to challenge the presence of racism within social studies, research must attend to the control that whiteness and white supremacy maintain within the field. This edited volume builds from these previous works to take on whiteness and white supremacy directly in social studies education. In Marking the “Invisible”, editors assemble original contributions from scholars working to expose whiteness and disrupt white supremacy in the field of social studies education. We argue for an articulation of whiteness within the field of social studies education in pursuit of directly challenging its influences on teaching, learning, and research. Across 27 chapters, authors call out the strategies deployed by white supremacy and acknowledge the depths by which it is used to control, manipulate, confine, and define identities, communities, citizenships, and historical narratives. This edited volume promotes the reshaping of social studies education to: support the histories, experiences, and lives of Students and Teachers of Color, challenge settler colonialism and color-evasiveness, develop racial literacy, and promote justice-oriented teaching and learning. Praise for Marking the “Invisible” "As the theorization of race and racism continues to gain traction in social studies education, this volume offers a much-needed foundational grounding for the field. From the foreword to the epilogue, Marking the “Invisible” foregrounds conversations of whiteness in notions of supremacy, dominance, and rage. The chapters offer an opportunity for social studies educators to position critical theories of race such as critical race theory, intersectionality, and settler colonialism at the forefront of critical examinations of whiteness. Any social studies educator -researcher concerned with the theorization or teaching of race should engage with this text in their work." Christopher L. Busey, University of Florida

After a recent CUFA conference, many social studies teacher educators came to realize that pre-service teachers are skeptical of calls to integrate sensitive topics in the curriculum because they do not see it in their field experiences. The purpose of this edited book is to share examples of Pre/K - 12 grade teachers, schools, or school systems that infuse race, class, gender and sexuality in the curriculum. This book offers concrete examples of social studies teachers, schools and schools systems committed to the inclusion of topics often deemed as sensitive or controversial. Care was taken to provide examples from diverse geographic areas, school types (public, charter, private etc.), and grade levels. Researchers teamed with practicing professionals to highlight teachers and schools that successfully integrate race, class, gender and/or sexuality in the curriculum. The chapters provide specific examples of content inclusion, share high leverage practices, and provide advice for others infusing race, class, gender, and sexuality in the curriculum.

Racism is a sickness that permeates every aspect of Black life. But if the events of the past few years have taught us anything, it is that America has a hard time talking about issues that create disparity and inequality for Black people. This inequality extends not just into education but also into physical education. Blacks are stereotyped as physically superior and intellectually deficient. They are marginalized in PE just as they are in other aspects of their lives. Through a series of case studies, Critical Race Studies in Physical Education offers deep insights into the issues that Black students face. The text, geared to undergraduate and graduate PETE students and in-service teachers, does the following: Provides culturally aware teaching strategies that affirm the worth of Black students Amplifies the crucial issues that negatively affect Black students Addresses the litany of intentional and covert racist practices directed toward Black youth, thus broadening the book’s value beyond the sharing of teaching strategies The end goal is to elevate the perspectives of Black youths and teachers and to normalize positive experiences for Black students in physical education. To do so, Critical Race Studies in Physical Education provides the following: Eight case studies of situations that expose racism, disparities, and other issues affecting Black students’ well-being, self-worth, and healthy experiences in PE Critical race study discourse that stimulates discussion of relevant issues and enhances learning Reflective activities, resources, lesson considerations, and definitions to help students and in-service teachers use what they have learned through the case studies and discussions Each case study includes discussion and reflection prompts that are meant to lead the way to effective strategies and immediate implementation opportunities. Here is a partial list of the case studies: A white elementary student uses the N-word toward a Black teacher A Black female student endures gendered racism and racial disparities through her swimming experiences A white teacher is oblivious to why her Black students don’t want to be outside in the sunshine or get their hair moist A new PE teacher harbors toxic masculinity, white supremacy, and stereotypes of Black sexuality White student teachers grapple with accepting job offers in an urban area Black students need teachers to engage in anti-racist teaching practices that empower Black youth and aid in their success. For this to happen, teachers need to affirm students and make them feel safe, cared for, listened to, and recognized as worthy. Critical Race Studies in Physical Education will help teachers of all races adopt the teaching practices that create this supportive, empathetic, and nurturing environment—and, in doing so, validate Black students’ self-worth and swing the pendulum back toward a more equitable education in PE.

After a recent CUFA conference, many social studies teacher educators came to realize that pre-service teachers are skeptical of calls to integrate sensitive topics in the curriculum because they do not see it in their field experiences. The purpose of this edited book is to share examples of Pre/K - 12 grade teachers, schools, or school systems that infuse race, class, gender and sexuality in the curriculum. This book offers concrete examples of social studies teachers, schools and schools systems committed to the inclusion of topics often deemed as sensitive or controversial. Care was taken to provide examples from diverse geographic areas, school types (public, charter, private etc.), and grade levels. Researchers teamed with practicing professionals to highlight teachers and schools that successfully integrate race, class, gender and/or sexuality in the curriculum. The chapters provide specific examples of content inclusion, share high leverage practices, and provide advice for others infusing race, class, gender, and sexuality in the curriculum.

Doing Race in Social Studies (2015), this new volume addresses practical considerations of teaching about race within the context of history, geography, government, economics, and the behavioral sciences.