Talking social justice pedagogy and critical media in New York

I recently attended a conference in New York at St John’s University to talk about my work around social justice pedagogy with a focus on communications practice – and the teaching of it, which within many higher education institutions is devoid of any focus on race, racialisation and representation. To me, this is surprising, considering the frequency with which corporations are forced to apologise for perpetuating stereotypes, promoting colourism or cultural appropriation, which are all now commonplace.

It has also been my experience through attending international education conferences in Hawaii, Washington DC and now New York, that critical issues around race, ethnicity and culture are not frequently engaged with at these academic events. While the term ‘social justice’ may be used in promotional material, the content of papers rarely relate to whiteness or White privilege within the institutional culture or in educational practice.

A colour-blind ideology prevails in academia and at international conferences. In New York, a Professor from a country still suffering from the economic impact of White racism said “I don’t see colour”, an expression I have heard many times from people of all ethnic backgrounds, who perceive themselves to be liberal and egalitarian. However, colour-blindness supports White privilege by denying the reality that race profoundly shapes social, cultural and economic outcomes to the advantage of Whites and disadvantage of people of colour.

Addressing racial inequality in higher education should be a priority given the unequal outcomes for students in terms of attainment, and the disparities in pay and tenure for academic and professional staff of colour. The lack of focus on racial inequality and White privilege around pedagogy at educational conferences suggests there is still a long way to go to decolonise, democratise and diversify the curriculum.

GALLERY

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At the 18th International Conference on E-learning & Innovative Pedagogies
Gathering my thoughts before the start of the session
Enlightening delegates & the audience on why race, ethnicity & culture must be included in the teaching of communications practice
Outside the Wyndham Gdn Hotel in Chinatown
View from my bedroom at the Wyndham Gdn Hotel Chinatown
View from my bedroom at the Wyndham Gdn Hotel Chinatown
View from my bedroom at the Wyndham Gdn Hotel Chinatown
View from my bedroom at the Wyndham Gdn Hotel Chinatown
View from my bedroom at the Wyndham Gdn Hotel Chinatown
Hermin, Leona & Sandra at the Wyndham Gdn Hotel Chinatown
At TGI Fridays in Times Square New York
Friendly citizen in Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Times Square New York
Artistic ladies room at W Hotels Times Square New York
Carnegie Hall, New York
Carnegie Hall, New York
Carnegie Hall, New York
Carnegie Hall, New York
Central Park New York
Central Park New York
Central Park New York