Week 2 Lecture: Foundations of Black History and the Meaning of Education

Introduction

• Review of Week 1: Introductions and orientation
• Focus for Week 2: Foundational concepts before diving into Black history
• Examination of two main pieces:
  • Angela Davis' speech on "The Meaning of Education"
  • Professor Harrell's lecture on "The Meaning and Impact of Racism"

The Political Nature of Education

• Angela Davis' Speech (1969, UCLA)
  • Education is inherently political, not objective.
  • Decisions about education (location, curriculum) are political.
  • Politics affects what is taught, who teaches it, and how it is taught.
  • Students are part of a political process as soon as they enter a classroom.
  • Emphasis on critical thinking over rote learning.
  • Encourages students to transition from "what to think" to "how to think".
  • Education should be free from established plans and definitions.

Understanding Racism

• Professor Harrell on Racism
  • Racism involves a power dynamic, prejudice does not.
  • Racism is the exercise of power against a racially defined inferior group.
  • Racism is not static; it can manifest in various forms.

Distinctions Between Prejudice and Racism

• Prejudice
  • Negative attitude based on social comparison.
  • Does not involve a power structure.
• Racism
  • Requires power dynamics and systemic support.
  • Individuals or institutions must define a racial group as inferior.

Forms of Racism

1. Individual Racism
   • Belief in racial superiority and ability to act on it.
2. Institutional Racism
   • Manipulation of institutions to achieve racist goals.
   • Examples: Jim Crow laws, standardized testing biases.
3. Structural Racism
   • Laws and policies that reinforce racialized outcomes.
   • Predictable societal arrangements favoring certain groups.
4. Cultural Racism
   • Cultural appropriation and superiority claims.
5. Environmental Racism
   • Targeting certain communities for undesirable land uses.

Anti-Blackness

• Distinct from both prejudice and racism.
• Directed against Black individuals by non-white, non-Black individuals for social gain.
• Example: Harvard case involving Asian American students.

Power and Violence

• Power manifests as physical conquest, ideological imposition, and institutional infrastructure.
• Violence: Any process that violates the integrity of individuals or groups.

White Supremacy

• Not just overt acts of racial superiority.
• A societal governing principle that centers white individuals culturally and institutionally.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding these foundational concepts before studying Black history.
• Next week: Review of slavery and introduction to further historical context.
• Encouragement to engage critically and question prevailing narratives.