Good morning, loyal subscribers! Today’s issue is quintessential Highlighter: 2 parts race, 1 part education, 1 part self-care, and 1 part purity rings. Plus you get pets and a panoply of publications. Really, where else can you find Jezebel and the Harvard Educational Review side by side?
We’re one week away from HHH #4! Take next Thursday off, enjoy a day of reading and relaxation, and swing by Room 389 in Oakland to meet great people, chat about your favorite articles, and build our community. Get your free ticket!
Ijeoma Oluo: So You Want to Talk About Race?
Let’s get to know Ijeoma Oluo (#89, #97) some more. Last year, Ms. Oluo wrote that crazy brilliant piece about Rachel Dolezal, and now she’s got a book out called So You Want to Talk About Race. (Let me know if you read it!) In this interview, Ms. Oluo shares what it means to be a Black woman writer, how she developed her voice, and why we must persist through challenging conversations about race. “A lot of times we enter these conversations with two completely separate intentions: white people’s intention is to make sure that everybody knows that they’re not racist; and people of color just want white people to see how they may be harming them.” Plus she tells her side of the Rachel Dolezal story. ⏳
How Teacher Education’s Focus on White Privilege Undermines Antiracism
Now 30 years old, Peggy McIntosh’s “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” is considered required reading for white teachers. But this thoughtful response criticizes Dr. McIntosh’s approach as simplistic and unhelpful. By emphasizing “ritual confessions,” where white educators feel sorry for their privilege but do nothing about it, Dr. McIntosh does not support white teachers to understand and work to dismantle white supremacy. ⏳⏳
Ana Cecilia Alvarez, aware that she checks her notifications first thing in the morning, decides to chuck her iPhone to escape “the unrelenting present.” But her friends chastise her for being “out of touch.” This piece pushes us to make space for reflection rather than fear missing out. But the end is more melancholy than hopeful. ⏳
The Rise and Fall of the Purity Ring
This history of the purity ring (and movement) is a juggernaut. All in the same article: Jordin Sparks, the Jonas Brothers, John Legend, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Shia LaBeouf, Raven-Symoné, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Bella Thorne, and Rowan Blanchard. Please enjoy. ⏳⏳
Anne-otations: High School Football
With all the news about head injuries, it’s tempting to think of football as on the way out. Not so, says the latest episode on the Educate podcast. In fact, charter schools in New Orleans that got rid of it to save money are bringing it back. What do you think? Is the community high school football brings worth it, or is it too expensive and too risky? Take our poll on Facebook, or leave a voicemail at (415) 886-7475. ⏳
Readers Respond: Last week’s ode to the endangered pencil caused a big stir. Loyal subscriber and oceanographer Phoebe cried out, “Pencils!! Are they dying??”
Podcast Update: This week’s episode features lead learning specialist Brittany Flynn, who focuses on “Why Are Our Most Important Teachers Paid the Least?” which appeared in The Highlighter #126. On the show, Brittany makes the claim that what we see in preschool spans the entire K-12 system.
Thank you for reading this week’s issue! Share your thoughts by replying to this email or by clicking on one of the thumbs below. Also, let’s welcome new subscribers Kevin, Ariel, Eric, Tony, and Lupo! Please help to build this community by sharing this newsletter with your friends. If The Highlighter isn’t a great match for you, kindly unsubscribe. Have a great week, and I’ll see you again next Thursday at 9:10 am.