2017 | 2018 Innovative Teaching Showcase

SHOWCASE INDEX | CIIA | WWU ISSUE 20

Engaging Social Justice
“People who use social justice as a signal for what their work engages with understand that inequities are produced, inequities are structured, and that things have got to change in order to achieve different educational outcomes. Social justice education is a choice away from pathology and linearity. … There is no future in the field of education without the contributions of people who are doing their work under the rising sign of social justice.""

– Toward What Justice,
Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang, eds.

Ideas

Idea #13: The Power (or Limit) of the Media to Disrupt Injustice

“In this age of social media, both groups and individuals use YouTube [and other social media] to share their ideas about justice.”1

Learning Intention

“What are the two most recent “viral moments” you can think of that occurred on social media? Were these about justice? If so, what agendas of justice did they promote? Can you think of any they obscured? This activity sends you on a mini-tour of select videos and “media moments” that directly confront, and work to generate different ways of thinking about, injustice.”1,2,3

Overview1

Pick or have students choose a media moment and watch the video or other associated online content. (If you need more context, read about the situation as well). The book Toward What Justice? includes a list of sample texts/videos and further questions for reflection. Then discuss:

  • What form(s) of justice were the characters in this video asking for? Or, what injustice happened in this media moment to provoke a major outcry?
  • What is the overall message?
  • Who is this message aimed at?
  • What strategy or strategies are being used to send the message (humor, shaming, criticism, etc.)… do you think this strategy is helpful? Why or why not?
  • Describe what the media is asking individuals to do.
  • Is this content asking for change on an individual level, on the systemic level, or both?
  • Discuss what systemic change needs to happen in order for this to not have to exist.

Options and Reflection1

  • This media may be crafted in direct opposition to other current media trends. Describe what those are and why they might be problematic. How does mass media work to uphold or retrench injustices?
  • Find a text that is associated with or connected to this content. Discuss whether it offers critique or support to the content.
  • Research and collect the mentions of a marginalized group (queer, black, etc.) in the media for the past week. Analyze these stories to find occurrences of violence, oppressions, resistance, and subversion. Using headlines, cut out pictures and any other creative content, make a 5–10 page zine that contours and describes the creative subversions of the marginalized group in the media.

References

  1. Tuck, E. & Yang, K.W. (eds.) (2018). Toward What Justice? Describing Diverse Dreams of Justice in Education. New York: Routledge.
  2. Sensoy, O. & DiAngelo, R. (2017). Is Everyone Really Equal? An Introduction to Key Concepts in Social Justice Education. Teachers College Press.
  3. Adams, M. & Bell, L. (2016). Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice. New York: Routledge.