Educators: Critical Conversations – We Need to Talk: The What, Why, & How of Critical Conversations

Facilitator: Rosemary Wrenn

An interactive workshop where you will learn the what, why, and how for engaging in and facilitating critical conversations about race, identity, socio-economic status and other topics we all encounter in our classrooms and daily interactions. Using a framework originated by Glenn Singleton (2015), and informed by scholars in education and social sciences, we will explore concepts of how traditions such as color blindness (Bonilla-Silva, 2014), color muteness (Pollock, 2004) perfection, power, and maintaining the status quo have limited our abilities to acknowledge and discuss important issues, ultimately sowing division and conflict. Throughout the presentation, participants will practice critical conversations with one another in pairs and small groups.

Take these skills into your classrooms, organizations, and daily life. Be open to creating space for courageous conversations; be ready to learn about people whose lived experiences and ways of knowing and being may differ from your own.