Through support from the UW Institute on Race and Ethnicity (IRE)
and the UWSP Equity and Affirmative Action Office, the EAA Reading
Circle Subcommittee purchased copies of
Courageous Conversations
About Race, by Glenn E. Singleton and Curtis Linton. The book is
designed to help educators, administrators, and university
professors begin to engage in the conversation about race and its
role in society.
The reading circle met weekly during the spring semester of the
2008-09 academic year. During the course of thirteen meetings, the
group members held discussions and shared experiences and
reflections on race related issues.
Issues which emerged from the conversations included
Whiteness, Diversity in the workforce, and the Achievement Gap.
Co-chairs Susan Talarico and Mai Vang facilitated the group
discussions. The following are comments from participants:
“I felt
the forum helped us exchange views and our understandings of racism.
It is a good beginning for those who are engaged in the
discussion for the first time. “
“It was
enlightening to hear others, scholarly opinions on the topic of
“whiteness” and what we can do as an institution to create an
atmosphere of acceptance and understanding of one’s differences.”
“I
work with schools throughout the state. When issues of race arise, I
will take this much more seriously and have a better understanding
of the complex issues it can cause or opportunities it can
generate.”
The Reading Circle has submitted another grant proposal for
2009-2010.