Christopher D. Sessums :: Blog :: Race, Identity, and A Girl Like Me

I am currently enrolled in a course that focuses on teacher education and issues of poverty. In class, we regularly discuss issues of race, racial stereotypes, and their social, historical, political, and economic impacts. 

Although I normally focus my blog posts on computing, learning, and teaching, I wanted to share the video below (7:00 minutes). It deals with an important question that educators need to consider that is quite perplexing, that is, the socio-cultural issues associated with skin  color.

 A number of the interviewees in this student produced video speak about identity (what is my identity?) and culture (what is my true culture?) and are perplexed as to how they and others perceive who they are.

What messages are being culturally transmitted in neighborhoods, in schools, in the media, based on the color of one's skin? 

When we look at issues of learning, teaching, and computing, does race matter? Does social class matter? Can computing or access to the Internet bridge social, educational, and economic divides? 

Ulises Mejias (2005) wrote that the "true potential [of social software] lies in helping us figure out how to integrate our online and offline social experiences. Thus, social software must live up to its name by relating to the individual's everyday social practices, which include interacting with people online as well as people without access to these technologies…. [S]ocial software can positively impact pedagogy by inculcating a desire to reconnect to the world as a whole, not just the social parts that exist online."

As an educator, I feel that it is important to consider how social media can be used to augment conversations and action associated with issues such as racism, sexism, and social justice. Access is one piece of the puzzle; there are many other pieces we need to sort through as well.

This video is a wonderful step in shedding light on issues of race and identity designed specifically for people with access to social media. I encourage you to share it with others and bring the conversation out into the open. (BTW, here's another video where actor/comedian Bill Cosby breaks it down for you.)

Reference:

Mejias, U. A. (2005).  A nomad’s guide to learning and social software. The Knowledge Tree: An e-journal of learning innovation. Retrieved 16 July 2006 from http://knowledgetree.flexiblelearning.net.au/edition07/html/la_mejias.html.