White Privilege conference "When someone with the authority of a teacher describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.” - Adrienne Rich

Who went… Heather Reekie Taylor Prairie Speech/Lang. Pathologist Linda Elsberry Cottage Grove Special Education Surbhi Madia Cottage Grove Regular Education Lori Jones Maywood School Psychologist Jill Jensen Winnequah Music Teacher Danny Johnson Glacial Drumlin Educational Assistant Amy Burhop GDS/MGHS ESL Education Meghan Walsh Monona Grove Regular Education

Quickly – Who was in LaCrosse? More than 1,700 participants (42% first conference, 58% returners) from 32 States, Australia, Canada & Germany, including 130 Youth Leadership participants from 8 states, attended the conference held in La Crosse, WI.    Quick Facts:   113 workshops, 13 films, & 5 keynotes 50 K-12 Institutions from 16 states 79 Institutions of Higher Education from 25 states, Canada, and Germany 110 Non-profits from 29 states 11 Spiritual Organizations from 7 states & Canada  400 participants attended one or more of the 14 institutes 93% of participants agreed the workshops presented new content and skills and were useful to them both personally and professionally  recommend the conference to others

What is White Privilege? "I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group“ – Peggy McIntosh

"A young [black] man walks through chest deep floodwater after looting a grocery store in New Orleans..." "Two [white] residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store after Hurricane Katrina came through the area in New Orleans..."

I can, if I wish, arrange to be What is White Privilege? Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh I can, if I wish, arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.

What is White Privilege What is White Privilege? Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.

What is White Privilege What is White Privilege? Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.

What is White Privilege What is White Privilege? Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh I can go…into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions, into a hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.

What is White Privilege What is White Privilege? Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability.

  “I am a human being, and I want to stop giving up some of my humanity by oppressing others.” – Heather Reekie 11

"I believe that white allies can "get it" if we define "getting it" as becoming attuned to the subtle effects of racial bias in everyday interactions and environments."     from White Anti-Racism: Living the Legacy. 12

"A single bracelet does not jingle" - African Proverb

“It is not upon you to finish the work “It is not upon you to finish the work. Neither are you free to desist from it.” —Rabbi Tarfon 14

Deficit Ideology: Stereotypers Are Us “Achievement Gap” or “Opportunity Gap” Dr. Paul Gorski (http://www.edchange.org/) Stereotype: Laziness Ah, but: According to the Economic Policy Institute (2002), poor working adults spend more hours working per week on average than their wealthier counterparts. Stereotype: Don’t Value Education Ah, but: Low-income parents hold the exact same attitudes about education as wealthy parents (Compton-Lilly, 2003; Lareau & Horvat, 1999; Leichter, 1978; Varenne & McDermott, 1986).

Deficit Ideology: Stereotypers Are Us “Achievement Gap” or “Opportunity Gap” Dr. Paul Gorski (http://www.edchange.org/) Stereotype: Substance Abuse Ah, but: Alcohol abuse is far more prevalent among wealthy people than poor people (Galea, Ahern, Tracy, & Vlahov, 2007). And drug use equally distributed across poor, middle class, and wealthy communities (Saxe, Kadushin, Tighe, Rindskopf, & Beveridge, 2001). Deficit Ideology = If only “they” were more like US. “Strategies seem to want students in poverty to assimilate into a system they experience often as oppressive, and calls on predominantly middle-class teachers to facilitate and enforce this assimilation” (Gorski)

“The truth is in your reflection.” - Mufasa (Lion King)

Equity VS. Equality Equity IS a mind-set, NOT a strategy Educational equality is not the same as educational equity. Equity is about looking at inequalities in our classrooms and making changes to reflect/support the needs and strengths of various ethnic groups.

Culturally Responsive Classroom Practices Tips for developing equitable practices in your classroom 1. Implement these tips daily 2. Reflect on your experiences 1. Welcomes students by name as they enter the classroom 2. Uses eye contact with high- and low-achieving students 3. Uses proximity with high- and low-achieving students equitably Equity Training and Development Team Office of Organizational Development Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland

Privilege Scenarios : All sorts of people, all sorts of places *these are real scenarios recounted by first year UW students * Right side of room = scenario 4 Left side of room = scenario 6 How is white privilege working in this scenario? How are other kinds of privilege working in this scenario? How is oppression working (of various types)? If you were on the receiving end of this behavior how would you feel? If you were a witness to this scene how would you feel and what could you do to make it better? If you were hearing this story from a student who was concerned about it , how could you coach them or be an ally for them? Imagine this if you invert the minority and majority status of these scenarios.

Make that change “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb

Make that change “I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to CHANGE his ways. No message couldn’t be any clearer. If you want to make the world A BETTER PLACE, you better look at yourself and then make that CHANGE.” – Michael Jackson 22