Humanity Over Comfort
How You Confront Systemic Racism Head On

Other Titles in:
Cultural Competence | Leadership | Race, Ethnicity & Class

October 2021 | 160 pages | Corwin

Increase your racial equity capacity for transformational change

The years 2020 - 2021 will be remembered for COVID-19 and racial injustice. COVID illuminated long-standing structural inequities. Increased media focus on police brutality helped fuel a protest movement that underscored the urgency of the moment. In schools, non-profits, and various business sectors, conversations about race and institutional racism are becoming increasingly common. However, most of these conversations are performative and do little to disrupt the status quo. The authors of Humanity Over Comfort aim to move beyond the transactional response of using only conversations to respond to structural inequalities. Alternatively, the authors advance tools that promote transformational change that eliminates the access and opportunity gaps for Black and Brown individuals. Written to cultivate awareness that increases racial equity capacity, this book will help readers

Understand historical context and the influence of racism in shaping reality
Engage in reflections that connect learning to personal experience
Understand the Conscious Anti-Racist Engendering Framework (CARE), which draws from adult learning theory to build community in organizations
Leverage one’s span of control to implement practices that incrementally work to dismantle systems of oppressions
Direct their increased capacity towards dismantling racially predictable policies and practices

Transactional responses to racism perpetuate marginalizing narratives and outcomes and do little to support the humanity of a community, including White members. This book will guide readers towards transformational change to build a system that supports the restoration of our collective humanity.

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

How to Use This Book

Part I: Beginning the Journey - The Reflecting Space

Chapter 1: Race Matters Because Racism Does

Chapter 2: Building Community by Reimagining New Possibilities

Chapter 3: Confronting Blame by Reframing Accountability

Part II: Leaning Into the Learning - The Making Meaning Space

Chapter 4: Power and Influence

Chapter 5: Invisibility and Other Barriers to Engaging in the Work of Anti-Racism and Structural Transformation

Part III: Curating Transformation - The Doing Space

Chapter 6: Creating Space for Productive Struggle

Chapter 7: Application of Equity Lens for System Change

Chapter 8: Building to Transformation Through Collective Application

Chapter 9: Final Thoughts

References

Index

Preview this book

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Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1: Race Matters Because Racism Does

Chapter 2: Building Community by Reimagining New Possibilities

Sharone Brinkley-Parker

Dr. Sharone Brinkley-Parker has presented on topics of leadership, curriculum and standards, and equity and access in education while consulting with several entities. She has facilitated sessions in conjunction with Maryland Cultural Proficiency Conference, National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE), Maryland Multicultural Coalition Conference, and UnboundEd. While facilitating sessions and providing development, she has supported the expansion of educators, leaders, and educational internal and external stakeholders in the areas of standards-aligned instruction, strategic leadership, culturally responsive instruction, and... More About Author

Tracey L. Durant

Dr. Tracey Lynette Durant has over 20 years of experience in the educational and non-profit fields having worked as a specialist, director, executive director, program administrator, and learning assistance coordinator. She has most recently held roles where she has been responsible for leading systemwide initiatives designed to promote the utilization of equitable practices, systems, and structures that ensure positive educational outcomes for students. A graduate of Western Senior High School, Dr. Durant holds degrees from Sojourner-Douglass College, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University.Dr. Durant is a founding partner... More About Author

Kendra V. Johnson

Dr. Kendra V. Johnson’s preferred pronouns are “she” and “her.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Lincoln University, PA. While working the in the field of education, Dr. Johnson went on to earn her master’s degree in administration and supervision from Johns Hopkins University, a juris doctorate with concentrations in public interest and business law from the University of Baltimore School of Law, and a doctorate in urban educational leadership, social policy from Morgan State University. Dr. Johnson is licensed to practice law in the states of Maryland and New Jersey. Accordingly, Dr. Johnson comes to this work with rich... More About Author

Kandice Taylor

Dr. Kandice Taylor is a goal-driven experienced school administrator who has achieved success and recognition for improving student outcomes in schools identified as “challenging.” She demonstrates skills in analyzing issues, improving student achievement outcomes, building community among staff to change the climate and culture of the school environment, and building capacity in teacher leaders. Dr. Taylor has received state-level citations for her school transformation efforts and county-level honors, including the 2018–2019 Secondary Principal of the Year award. Dr. Taylor has over 20 years of active leadership experience in public and... More About Author

Johari Toe

Ms. Johari Toe is a public school administrator who is an advocate for all students, parents, teachers, and stakeholders. Ms. Toe is dedicated to creating a purposeful, equitable, rigorous, and engaging learning environment for all children. She was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools and upon completion of high school, she enrolled in college. Ms. Toe holds a bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University and a master’s degree from Towson University.Ms. Toe has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. She has been a classroom teacher at the middle school level, instructional coach, professional developer, Title I... More About Author

Lisa N. Jefferson Williams

Dr. Lisa Williams is a career educator having held the position of teacher, mentor, university professor, and Title I director, and executive director of equity over her career in education. She has bachelors’ degrees in biology and psychology, an M.A. in psychology, and a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership with an emphasis in social policy. She has presented at the local, state, and national levels on topics related to improving outcomes for marginalized student populations. Her career in public education spans nearly 20 years. Her dissertation study examined Response to Intervention (RTI) and the performance of students attending... More About Author

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