Racial Equity and Anti-Racism Resources

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Anti-Racism Statement

Reedley College stands in solidarity with those fighting for equality and racial justice and in doing so, we affirm our commitment to identifying, addressing, and eliminating all forms of racism and ethnic biases. We are committed to establishing and sustaining an anti-racism learning and working environment by becoming racially literate and understanding the ways in which our biases (both conscious and unconscious), power and privilege influence our institutional services, policies, and practices.  

As educational practitioners, we strive to equitize our college and educational practices, we acknowledge it is not enough to be “not racist.” We also recognize that regardless of one’s own race or ethnicity, every person has an individual perspective of racism, bias, and anti-racism.  We will work to develop collective responses that oppose systematic racism and dismantle practices that perpetuate racism at Reedley College. Racially offensive comments, postings, or behaviors made by any Reedley College student or employee do not represent the values of the college and are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

We stand committed and will hold ourselves accountable to:

  • Affirm explicitly, and in united solidarity, our identity as an anti-racist educational institution.
  • Fostering individual and institutional examination of implicit bias and systemic advantage/oppression such that our anti-racism commitment resulting in actions that are reflected in the life and culture of the college through our policies, programs, and practices as we continue to learn about racism and ethnic oppression.
  • Developing and implementing strategies and best-practices that dismantle racism and ethnic oppression within all aspects of our departments, programs, and the broader communities we serve. 

Reedley College Classified Senate Anti-Racism Resolution - Commitment to Anti-Racism and Equity on Campus (PDF)

Resolution From The Reedley College Academic Senate Commitment and Call to Action Regarding Anti-Racism Work At Reedley College (PDF)

SCCCD - Diversity Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement

Report a Grievance

Faculty & Staff Sharepoint Site

Letters from President Dr. Jerry L. Buckley

To our college community:

As witnessed by current events during June 2020, our country has reached a cross roads where we either support hate and bigotry, or evolve to a culture of equity and inclusion.  The  deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and Breonna Taylor are but recent examples that we need to value every human life, but in this time and place especially Black lives… while we also recognize that our country has united in this moment to speak out against structural racism.  That said, as representatives of Reedley College, we must actively contribute to building and maintaining a safe and secure teaching and learning environment for all students, regardless of their ethnicity, culture, religious beliefs or sexual identity.

To this purpose Reedley College will commit to the following activities:

  • Create safe spaces for students, faculty and staff to discuss concerns and propose change
  • Schedule regular town hall meetings to facilitate discussion of equity-related topics
  • Move the Reedley College Equity Plan to action during 2020-2021.
  • Participate in the USC / California Community College Alliance for Equity – Dr. Shaun Harper, Executive Director, will facilitate monthly small group project-based learning activities designed to generate actions to address structural racism and inequities within our campus community.  Over 60 California Community Colleges have joined this alliance for change.
  • Facilitate broad campus participation in the USC Center for Urban Education seminar series on racial equity in spring 2021:

Foundations in Racial Equity

  • REC 700 - Foundations of Racial Equity in Higher Education 
  • REC 701 - Talking about Race, Racism, and Racial Inequities 

Race-Conscious Leadership in Higher Education 

  • REC 704 - Advancing Racial Equity in a Mostly White Context 

Assessment, Evaluation, and Racial Equity 

  • REC 709 - Using Assessment and Evaluation to Improve Campus Racial Climates 
  • REC 711 - Making Racial Equity Data Transparent 

Racial Equity and Human Resources Management 

  • REC 719 - Retention and Advancement of Professionals of Color 
  • REC 721 - Relationships of Power and Reducing Abuse of Power in the Workplace 

 Administration and Management of Racial Equity  

  • REC 725 - Messaging Commitment to Racial Equity and Inclusion 

As a college, we will maintain an open dialog on equity, inclusion and particularly racism, while we actively work to reduce both explicit and implicit bias in our learning environment and workplace.

I invite everyone to be part of this important effort.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry L. Buckley

Hello everyone –

Over the past month our country has witnessed unprecedented racial violence and unacceptable behavior.   Today we take a stand for our students, employees, and communities.

Reedley College stands in solidarity with those fighting for equality and racial justice and in doing so, we affirm our commitment to identifying, addressing, and eliminating all forms of racism and ethnic biases. We are committed to establishing and sustaining an anti-racism learning and working environment by becoming racially literate and understanding the ways in which our biases (both conscious and unconscious), power and privilege influence our institutional services, policies, and practices.  

As educational practitioners, we strive to equitize our college and educational practices, we acknowledge it is not enough to be “not racist.” We also recognize that regardless of one’s own race or ethnicity, every person has an individual perspective of racism, bias, and anti-racism.  We will work to develop collective responses that oppose systematic racism and dismantle practices that perpetuate racism at Reedley College. Racially offensive comments, postings, or behaviors made by any Reedley College student or employee do not represent the values of the college and are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

We stand committed and will hold ourselves accountable to:

  • Affirm explicitly, and in united solidarity, our identity as an anti-racist educational institution.
  • Fostering individual and institutional examination of implicit bias and systemic advantage/oppression such that our anti-racism commitment resulting in actions that are reflected in the life and culture of the college through our policies, programs, and practices as we continue to learn about racism and ethnic oppression.
  • Developing and implementing strategies and best-practices that dismantle racism and ethnic oppression within all aspects of our departments, programs, and the broader communities we serve. 

You will soon see additional information on our college website regarding specific actions we will take to address racism and create a welcoming environment for all students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry L. Buckley,

Previous Webinar Recordings

Black Minds Matter is a five part series addressing the parallels between the policing of Black lives and the schooling of Black minds.

Black Minds Matter Session 1 - Features special guests Dr. Tyrone Howard and Shante Needham (sister of Sandra Bland). 

Black Minds Matter Session 2Features special guests Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Dr. Ivory Toldson, and Gwen Carr (the mother of Eric Garner).

Black Minds Matter Session 3 - Features special guests. Dr. William Smith, Dr. Eboni Zamani-Gallaher, Dr. Frank Harris III & Michael Brown Sr. (the father of Michael Brown Jr.)

Black Minds Matter Session 4 – Features special guests Lasana Hotep, Chance Lewis, and Andre Perry.

Recording Session 5 – coming soon!

Recordings and Transcripts

Webinar I – Series Introduction: The Importance of Equity-Minded Virtual Practices During COVID19: A Conversation with Students – Thursday, 4.23.2020 

Introduction to CUE and webinar series by Chancellor Eloy Oakley and Dr. Estela Bensimon. This webinar session will provide a foundation of understanding to Equity-Mindedness. This webinar will introduce key terms and principles which will guide every webinar in this series. In addition, five student panelists will join to engage in a discussion about their experiences transitioning into online learning in the midst of COVID-19.

The recording for webinar 1 is available

The transcript for webinar 1 is available

Webinar II – Equity-Minded Online Teaching: Using Canvas as a Model – Thursday, 4.30.2020

Professor Jennifer Ortiz will illustrate how to use Canvas with an equity mindset. She will provide examples of techniques and strategies which can be easily applied in any course. For example, she will show participants the video message she uses to welcome students into her class. This session will also have a focus on the implementation of AB705. Professor Ortiz is the Chair of English at LA Trade Tech and a Fellow at the Center for Urban Education. She has collaborated with CUE’s staff on the development of equity-minded teaching materials.

The recording for webinar 2 is available

The transcript for webinar 2 is available

Webinar III – Being Aware of Learning Opportunities and Constraints Posed by Online Teaching and Moving Towards Anti-Racist Practices – Thursday, 5.7.2020

This webinar will address the “taken-for-granted” practices and assumptions that shape the online learning environment and ways in which they can be detrimental to the success of minoritized students. For example, many students only have access to a cellular phone and instructors are not considering how the materials they upload may become distorted on a phone. The current circumstances are overwhelming and it is easy for instructors to default to the students who have the know-how to navigate technology.

The recording for webinar 3 is available

The transcript for webinar 3 is available

Webinar IV: Online Support as an Anti-Racist Practice – Thursday, 5.14.20

The immediate and unforeseen transition to exclusively online courses and administrative services in the wake of COVID-19 can make it difficult for administrative and students. In this webinar, panelists will: 1) discuss how administrators can proactively engage students with the goal of building and sustaining authentic relationships with minoritized students and 2) share strategies for doing so in online teaching and virtual support.

The recording for webinar 4 is available

The transcript for webinar 4 is available

Webinar V: Equity-Minded Mathematics Instruction – Thursday, 5.21.2020

This webinar will include one or more math instructors from California and Colorado who have worked with CUE on developing pedagogical practices that are critically race conscious. This session will address: (1) traditional vs equity-minded conceptions of the ways in which math is done and thought about, (2) how to draw upon student’s knowledge, (3) noticing racialized patterns in data close to practice (gradebook and attendance mapping, designing homework problems), (4) engaging students conversations that focus on how they are experiencing the online environment.

The recording for webinar 5 is available

The transcript for webinar 5 is available 

Webinar VI: How to Express Care with a focus on Racial Equity – Thursday, 5.28.2020

This session is informed by common assumptions that racially minoritized students are deficient. Often times instructor’s and administrators’ responses imply that “racial equity” means to provide interventions that “fix students”. This session will critically address how to provide authentic care to students with a focus on racial equity.

The recording for webinar 6 is available

The transcript for webinar 6 is available

Center for Organizational Responsibility and Advancement (CORA)

CORA offers webinars on salient topics. Webinars are free to the public and all are recorded and posted following the live session.  Below is the current schedule of previous and upcoming webinars.  You will find links to view recordings and register for upcoming events.

Addressing Anti-Blackness on Campus: Implications for Educators and Institutions

Date and Time: June 24th, 2020 at 02:00 PM PST.
Facilitators: Dr. Frank Harris III. Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Dr. J. Luke Wood and Lasana Hotep

Description:  In the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery and others, educators are determining options for a thoughtful response. At first, school superintendents and college presidents responded by releasing public statements to their campus communities. But public statements in and of themselves are meaningless without thoughtful action that addresses the pervasive real and symbolic violence against Black communities. In this webinar, the presenters will address tangible strategies for addressing anti-Blackness in schools, colleges, and universities. All educators and institutions looking for concrete strategies and next steps should attend.

View Recording

Serving Students with Basic Needs Insecurities During COVID 19

Date and Time: May 20th, 2020 at 10:00 AM PST.
Facilitators: Dr. Kindred Murillo, Dr. Tina King, and Drs. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III

View Recording

Responding Racial Bias and Microaggressions in the Online Environment

Date and Time: April 28th, 2020 at 10:00 AM PST.
Facilitators: Drs. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III

View Recording

Equity-Minded Student Services in the Online Environment

Date and Time: April 9th, 2020 at 10:00 AM PST.
Facilitators: Drs. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III

View Recording

Employing Equity-Minded & Culturally-Affirming Teaching and Learning Practices in Virtual Learning Communities

Date and Time: March 26h, 2020 at 10:00 AM PST.
Facilitators: Drs. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III

View Recording

 

Equity Resources

Teaching Tolerance:

Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners to supplement curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued, and welcome participants.

Anti Racism Project 

LGBTQ+ Resources:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ resource from UC Berkeley covering education, advocacy, support, and more.

A campus program to provide DACA & LGBTQ Ally Training (PDF)

Counterstories of Policy Implementation: Using Reform to Address Latinx Student Equity - Felix Ramirez (PDF)

A Conversation with Policymakers and Practitioners on African American Student Success

Virtual Townhall: A Conversation with Policymakers and Practitioners on African American Student Success. We had over 1,000 in attendance on Zoom, and more than 100 on YouTube. In addition, here are the webinar materials:


 

Vision for Success Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force – 2020 Report (PDF)

The report summarizes three recommendations by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force to increase faculty and staff diversity in our system. 

Avoiding Racial Equity Detours (PDF)

equity Committee MeetingAnti-Racism Resources

Moving Beyond Diversity to Racial Equity

To actualize racial equity, it is it is incumbent upon us to determine how to use our positions of privilege, influence and power to transforms lives through education, particularly for our racially minoritized and marginalized students and community. We cannot talk about equity without talking about inequality. We cannot talk about inclusion without talking about oppression. We cannot say we are committed to equity and be afraid to have an open dialogue about structural racism. We cannot talk about structural racism without talking about anti-racism.

Take a more critical look at what informs your worldview by exploring these Anti-Racism Resources.

Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud shared the following “Action Steps” for the CCC and Peralta community.  These are transformative ideas for each of us to consider promoting in our respective communities.  Vote – the oppressive systems that are dehumanizing black people and destroying Black lives are in place by the will of the voting majority.

  • Review 26 Ways to be in the Struggle Beyond the Streets.
  • Donate to memorial funds and victims’ families. 
  • Contribute to the legal defense of arrested protesters.
  • Use your voices, resources, and networks to condemn the attack on black humanity.
  • Call out casual racism – sometimes described as micro-aggressions.  An example is saying that a black person is “articulate”.  The statement indicates a surprise that the black person is articulate.  Consider how many times white speakers are described as articulate.
  • Host a salon (currently – a virtual salon) of your friends to strategize around anti-racist efforts you can make to eliminate the racism that dehumanizes black lives. Read Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s book, How to be an Anti-Racist.
  • Educate yourself, friends and loved ones on the reality of black existence and the malice of seemingly benevolent habits of mind.  Read Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s  book: Stamped from the Beginning.
  • Listen, without judgement, to people expressing their pain even if it is being expressed in a voice, intonation, cadence, accent, vernacular you are unaccustomed to hearing and valuing.
  • Develop a greater consciousness about the value of your comfort when compared to a black life.  Read Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s book, White Fragility.
  • Write locally elected officials and call on them to make the necessary changes to stop the legally sanctioned destruction of black bodies and lives.
  • Show up (even if virtually) to City Council meetings and demand that the Mayor and City Council change the policies, practices, structure and culture of law enforcement systems that are paid for by  the tax payers of our cities and counties.
  • Avoid trying to define for black people, how they should feel or experience something – whether something is really all that bad or saying that you were not offended by that statement or action so you don’t know why they would be.  Read Ta-Nehisi Coates book, Between the World and Me.  
  • Be racially conscious of the language you use taking care not to criminalize behavior that is not viewed as criminal when being done by someone who classifies themselves as white. 
  • Write to media outlets and confront them their intentional or unintentional perpetuation of white supremacy by the ways black images are depicted, described, and framed.  Examples are calling black protesters thugs while white, armed protesters are patriots,   describing black people as looters while describing whites who are doing the same thing as resourceful, or repeatedly showing the same image of one person engaging in vandalism while the hundreds others are peacefully protesting, then describing the protest as a riot. 
  • Use your professional or academic expertise to convene forums and panels that provide discussion, exploration, and reflection on structural, historical, and systemic racism.

  • White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Di Angelo and Michael Eric Dyson
  • How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
  • What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays by Damon Young
  • Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We See, Think and Do by Jennifer Eberhardt
  • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
  • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindess by John Lewis and Michael D’Orso
  • White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson, Ph.D.
  • The Invention of the White Race by Theodore W. Allen
  • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. Blackmon
  • Choke Hold: Policing Black Men by Paul Butler
  • Engaging the Race Question in U.S. Higher Education by Alicia C. Dowd and Estela Mara Bensimon
  • From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education by Tia Brown McNair, Estela Mara Bensimon, and Lindsey Malcom-Piqueux
  • Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do by Claude M. Steele