In August 2020, the initial team of U-M language instructors and staff members in the Language Resource Center (LRC) received a LEO Inclusive Teaching Professional Development Fund grant. Shortly thereafter, two BIPOC faculty members of the LSA Anti-Racism Task Force joined the project. We selected and invited a cohort of 9 rising undergraduate and graduate students of color –all who had taken courses in one or more U-M language departments– to inform, guide and serve as (compensated) consultants to identify specific problematic issues around race and identity in language, literature and culture classes. The issues are complex and multi-dimensional, and require innovative approaches and new ways of collaborating within and across language departments. The work of constructing anti-racist classrooms, particularly in the language programs, demands that we take into account what (minoritized) students in the 21st century have sought and deserve from their experience in language programs at the University of Michigan in order to realize their full potential. Racialized students have a unique vantage point with which to participate in transformative actions, and their voices must be a constant compass as we work to transfigure our language programs to meet the needs of all students.
To facilitate the evolution of diverse, inclusive, equitable, and just world language literature and culture classes, the LRC is committed to:
- Accountability and transparency
- Continuing conversations with BIPOC students, faculty and staff
- Creating community of practice to further our work in DEIJ and courses taught in language, culture and literature departments
- Collecting and disseminating resources that inform and support DEIJ
- Resources: Anti-racist, Equitable, Social Justice for World Languages
- Scholars and activists in DEIJ and World Languages
- Add to our database- have a resource to share? Submit it here
See also general resources related to anti-racism here: Campus Anti-Racism Resources
