Internet
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Resource: Challenging Racism
Written by: Jody Miller Shearer
Published
by:
Faith and Life Press
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What kind of resource is it? (a magazine, an idea book, a kit, a Sunday School curriculum resource, etc...)?
This is a 4-session Bible study curriculum. - What is the main content (subject matter of the
resource?
Confronting racial prejudice and challenging students to work at changing systems that oppress people. - What are the central goals or learning
objectives?
Increase awareness of racism Help identify ways to dismantle racism Envision an inclusive church Identify barriers that may intentionally or unintentionally keep people apart Examine systems that oppress people - Who are the intended users/learners/audience?
In what settings would this be a helpful resource?
This resource is intended for junior high youth that may or may not live in a racially or ethnically diverse area. This is geared towards groups of Caucasian youth, but could be used with groups of mixed races. - What dimensions, or areas of pluralism/diversity
does the resource primarily address?
This resource primarily addresses the issue of “white” and “people of color.” While the resource uses limited examples, when it does it focuses on Caucasians and African Americans. At times it does acknowledge that there are other ethnic groups such as Native Americans, Latinos and Asians. - How accurately does the resource portray the
perspectives of different ethnic groups, races, religions, cultures,
lifestyles, etc.? Does it
stereotype different groups?
Does acknowledge that there are differences among the groups but at the same time there is unity as we all have many things in common Does acknowledge that even among a racial group there are differences Invites speakers to give their own experience about their contact with other races Acknowledges that everyone experiences prejudice but that the severity or frequency is different for different groups There are some misconceptions that are used as examples of prejudice - Do any stories included (real life, fictional,
Bible, historical) have strong ethnic characters?
The stories that are used in the resource are Biblical. They are predominately Paul’s writings talking about uniting and seeing the things in common rather than our differences. For example, from Ephesians the resource quotes “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” The stories emphasize the valuing of differences. - Are the settings and experiences used as examples
in the resource ones that a variety of people can identify with?
The setting and resources used as examples are ones that a variety of people can identify with because they are based on each individual's experience. For example, in one session members of the group share their own experience about going to a mall. - Do illustrations and images have ethnic
characteristics? Are the
illustrations accurate, sensitive and technically well done?
The class material does not give specific images and illustrations of ethnic characters because the material is Biblically based around Paul’s writings. It does encourage the leaders to invite guests to participate who come from a variety of backgrounds. - Does the resource admit, allow for, and show
conflicts and problems faced in a diverse world?
This resource does admit that there are problems in this world. For example, one exercise is to see what barriers other groups may have that the students do not have. There are places in the lessons to apply the Biblical story to what we see in our world. - Does the resource contain any words, phrases,
clichés, or concepts that are racist?
The resource does contain some material that may be considered racist: It refers to “people of color” at times when it is referring to all ethnic groups {this happens primarily in the introduction and in parts of the resource that are written by the publisher} [this from our Asian writer] It claims that white people are all privileged - Is any factual or historical material accurate?
The question on historical material is not applicable because there is no historical material in the resource. It is biblically based and based on the individual's lives. - Are concepts illustrated with examples from
different cultures and lifestyles?
The resource focuses on raising the awareness of European Americans that there is another world out there that they may not know exists. The material is based on the students’ lives but frequently asks the students to think about what a person of a different ethnic group might feel. It also encourages inviting guest speakers from different ethnic groups to come and share their experience. - How diverse is the writing team?
The writing team is not diverse, as it is only one person. - Are the materials conducive to use in a variety
of settings and contexts?
The material is designed for four one-hour Bible studies for Junior High groups. This is not very adaptable to other settings. - How do the materials consider a variety of
disabilities?
This material does not address the issue of a variety of disabilities. - What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses
of this resource?
Strengths: There are several activities suggested for teachers to choose between Some of the activities are unique The activities keep the participants moving and would keep their attention Layout is teacher friendly with clear directions Designed for innovative learners (people who learn by small group interaction), analytic learners (people who learn through stories), common sense learners (people who learn by doing) and dynamic learners (people who learn by creating). Weaknesses: This material is designed to be used in homogenous areas. Junior Highs will have a difficult time imagining themselves as a person of a different racial/ethnic group if they haven’t met anyone from that group before. There are several hand-outs for each week, and Junior Highs tend to do things that re not constructive with paper when they are given them There is no historical material—all the material is Biblical or based on their own experience—sometimes if you understand the history you may understand why someone does what they do At times the material has racist tones.
