Research has shown that Black boys and men are criminalized in the classroom and their minds undervalued by the educators and institutions of learning.
But why is that?
A groundbreaking new public course in the College of Education will examine this phenomenon by taking a look at these experiences and realities and addressing the status of black boys and men in school, college and university settings. This course is being livestreamed nationwide and is open to the general public.
Beginning this fall, "Black Minds Matter: A Focus on Black Boys and Men in Education" will be taught by Professor J. Luke Wood.
These learners will be composed of K-12 teachers and other educators who will be learning how to prepare, educate, and mobilize their classrooms for positive change.
“Our goal is to change the paradigm on how teachers view their role in education” said Wood.
Wood said that the course, which took him about a year to develop, is organized around the Black Lives Matter movement guiding principles of loving engagement, empathy, value, and restorative justice.
“The goal of the course is to raise the national consciousness about issues facing black boys and men in education,” said Wood. “In particular, we will address themes about criminalization and undervaluing of Black males in wider society and how those same themes are evident in educational settings.”
Wood added that the course will be constructive, focused on policies and practices that are research-based and that can improve success for these men. “The good news is, we know a lot about what works and in this course, we will share that knowledge” said Wood.
“We will engage in core readings and hear from thought leaders in the field, who serve as researchers and advocates for our boys and men of color,” added Wood, who will be joined by 15 researchers and advocates in the field, including Patrisse Cullers, co-founder of Black Lives Matter and Ilyasah Shabazz, an educational advocate and daughter of Malcolm X.
The class will take place every Monday from Oct. 23 through Dec. 11. There will be 30 students in the classroom at SDSU and approximately 10,000 public learners who will be viewing the course individually and at 100 live broadcasting and replay sites throughout the nation. These sites are spread across community centers, schools, colleges, and universities in 18 states. The public version of the course, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Pacific Time, could be streamed live by anyone who would like to participate. To register, visit the Black Minds Matter registration page.
“As a community-engaged scholar, I think it is critical that conversations about student success go beyond our walls to provide learning and development opportunities for those in the larger community,” Wood concluded.
For more information or if you have questions, please email jwood@mail.sdsu.edu or call 619-594-0167.