Speaker emphasizes importance of race-based conversations
Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock, left, listens as attendees discuss one of the questions she posed during her talk.
Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock stressed the importance of race-based conversations in schools during the College of Education Diversity Committee’s fall speaker series.
On October 16, Bullock spoke to College of Education faculty, staff, students and friends about “Race-Based Conversations with Kids Matter: Integrating Anti-Racist Curricula in Classrooms.”
Bullock pulled on her own experiences as well as feedback from group discussions to shape the conversation.
“We need to bring our most thoughtful selves into this space as we have this conversation,” Bullock said.
One of the main highlights of Bullock’s talk was the need to bring intentionality into the books and materials teachers bring into the classroom. She said these books can be used as a window to have race-based conversations with children.
Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock talks about race-based conversations during her presentation at the ECU Heart Institute on October 16.
“You have the power within your single classroom to disrupt and challenge structural racism by bringing intentional focus and racial equity perspectives into your classrooms,” said Bullock. “That’s a lot of power that many of us don’t think or know that we have.”
Showcasing several books that could be implemented in elementary curriculums, Bullock said that starting these conversations were imperative.
“Kids are making sense of race and racism at a very young age,” she said. She explained that children are getting information from many different sources and it was imperative that teachers help shape the conversation.
Bullock again stressed that having these conversations, whether it’s in the moment or at a later time, are crucial.
“Silence communicates volumes,” she said. “We can’t just brush it under the rug.”
In fact, revisiting conversations can be beneficial for children and model that it’s okay to go back and try to rectify a situation if they mess up.
Bullock also discussed critical race theory framework and the Teaching Tolerance curriculum. She is the co-founder and executive director of “we are,” which stands for working to extend anti-racist education. More information about we are can found on their website.
Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock, far left, takes a photo with members of the College of Education Diversity Committee. From second left, they are Dr. Christy Howard, Dr. Amy Swain, and Dr. Jennifer Gallagher.