Module 6: Education
Part 2: What is your lens?
Module 1 used a diagram that introduced the idea of a lens of systemic oppression. This part will look more closely at the lens of systemic oppression and an equity lens. The use of these lenses to help reveal and address oppression will be considered.
Suggested Goals:
1. To understand the lens of systemic oppression and an equity lens.
2. To consider how these lenses could reveal and address oppression.
3. To identify possible drawbacks to the use of the lens as a metaphor.
4. To begin to consider how different lenses can be used in the classroom to move to antiracist practices.
Suggested Goals:
1. To understand the lens of systemic oppression and an equity lens.
2. To consider how these lenses could reveal and address oppression.
3. To identify possible drawbacks to the use of the lens as a metaphor.
4. To begin to consider how different lenses can be used in the classroom to move to antiracist practices.
&1: What is your lens?
Module 1: Socialization & Identity referenced a graphic that showed the lens of systemic oppression. This part of Module 6 returns to the idea of using a “lens” as a metaphor for the perspectives used to view events in the world. The National Equity Project provides an overview of the lens of systemic oppression. We can use this lens to better understand how oppression functions in our society and in our actions.
Read:
The Lens of Systemic Oppression
https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/lens-of-systemic-oppression
or
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e32157bff63c7446f3f1529/t/5f1739965f252b1d45f0cd4f/1595357599748/Lens-of-Systemic-Oppression.pdf
Read:
The Lens of Systemic Oppression
https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/lens-of-systemic-oppression
or
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e32157bff63c7446f3f1529/t/5f1739965f252b1d45f0cd4f/1595357599748/Lens-of-Systemic-Oppression.pdf
| lens-of-systemic-oppression.pdf |
Read/Watch:
Social Identities and Systems of Oppression (The videos are below, but the article includes additional information and points of reflection.)
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/social-identities-and-systems-oppression
Social Identities and Systems of Oppression (The videos are below, but the article includes additional information and points of reflection.)
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/social-identities-and-systems-oppression
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Reflect:
- What is the lens of oppression?
- What are the levels or spheres that contribute to oppression?
- What maintains these systems of oppression?
- Why is it important to acknowledge oppression in our lives and throughout society?
- How could the lens of systemic oppression be used to reveal oppression in educational systems?
Oppression, in its many forms, occurs when there is an imbalance of power. When power is used to take away the opportunities and rights of others, oppression occurs. This imbalance of power is also apparent as dominant groups are privileged over marginalized groups. Groups may be marginalized due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, and more.
Power coupled with racial prejudice is described by the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre (ACLRC) as racism. As the ACLRC presents in the first resource below, it is important to acknowledge and understand power. Power is not just wielded on an individual level but can be conferred through cultural and societal systems and norms.
Read:
Defining Racism: The Power Factor
http://www.aclrc.com/racism-and-power
The Undergirding Factor is POWER: Toward an Understanding of Prejudice and Racism
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers/caleb/racism.html
Reflect:
- How is power related to oppression and racism?
- What are some ways you may have been given power without asking for it or recognizing it?
- Why is it important to acknowledge the role of power?
To address the levels of oppression, we need to be aware of the role of power in initiating and maintaining systems of oppression. We can view decisions through an equity lens.
The resource below offers one overview of an equity lens approach to decision-making.
Read:
What is an Equity Lens?
http://www.sccyvpt.org/uploads/6/4/4/7/64475291/sc_what_is_an_equity_lens.pdf
| sc_what_is_an_equity_lens.pdf |
Equity Lens Guiding Questions
https://www.lanecc.edu/diversity/lanes-equity-lens-guiding-questions
Racial Equity Tools offers resources for using an equity lens. The resources below can be used in groups to gain a more in-depth understanding of an equity lens and its use, but you can also read through and explore the activities on your own.
Read/Explore/Activity:
Framing Issues with a Racial Equity Lens (Full access requires registering for a free account.)
https://www.racialequitytools.org/module/framing-issues-with-a-racial-equity-lens
Another way to think about countering oppressive systems is through a “lens of anti-oppression” as described by Regan Byrd.
Read/Listen:
Approaching Difficult Conversations Through the Lens of Anti-Oppression
https://www.kunc.org/news/2020-06-10/approaching-difficult-conversations-through-the-lens-of-anti-oppression
Reflect:
When applying the metaphor of lenses, there should be caution in the ability to take these lenses on and off. People, especially members of the dominant group, may demonstrate an equity approach in certain situations, but then remove this lens when moving to different spaces where their group membership is privileged. A true commitment to equity and antiracism requires consistent action to counteract systemic racism.
Read:
Can We Stop Using an “Equity Lens”?
https://medium.com/@eec/can-we-stop-using-an-equity-lens-c3425e0aa5da
Reflect:
The next part will look more closely at using your lens in the classroom.
https://www.lanecc.edu/diversity/lanes-equity-lens-guiding-questions
Racial Equity Tools offers resources for using an equity lens. The resources below can be used in groups to gain a more in-depth understanding of an equity lens and its use, but you can also read through and explore the activities on your own.
Read/Explore/Activity:
Framing Issues with a Racial Equity Lens (Full access requires registering for a free account.)
https://www.racialequitytools.org/module/framing-issues-with-a-racial-equity-lens
Another way to think about countering oppressive systems is through a “lens of anti-oppression” as described by Regan Byrd.
Read/Listen:
Approaching Difficult Conversations Through the Lens of Anti-Oppression
https://www.kunc.org/news/2020-06-10/approaching-difficult-conversations-through-the-lens-of-anti-oppression
Reflect:
- What is an equity lens?
- How could you apply an equity lens?
- Why would you want to use both a lens of oppression and an equity lens?
- What could be a drawback of using the metaphor of a lens?
When applying the metaphor of lenses, there should be caution in the ability to take these lenses on and off. People, especially members of the dominant group, may demonstrate an equity approach in certain situations, but then remove this lens when moving to different spaces where their group membership is privileged. A true commitment to equity and antiracism requires consistent action to counteract systemic racism.
Read:
Can We Stop Using an “Equity Lens”?
https://medium.com/@eec/can-we-stop-using-an-equity-lens-c3425e0aa5da
Reflect:
- Why might the idea of a “lens” slow antiracist work?
- How would you address the idea of using different lenses in your work and life?
- How would a lens of oppression and an equity or anti-oppression lens help you create an equitable classroom?
- What are two next steps you could take to use the lens in moving your practice toward being antiracist?
The next part will look more closely at using your lens in the classroom.
