What Does Critical Thinking and Critical Theory Mean

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What Does Critical Thinking and Critical Theory Mean for Us Today? Stephen Brookfield Adjunct

What Does Critical Thinking and Critical Theory Mean for Us Today? Stephen Brookfield Adjunct Professor, Teachers College http: //www. stephenbrookfield. com/

Why Critical Theory? • Because it’s the most accurate explanatory theory that helps me

Why Critical Theory? • Because it’s the most accurate explanatory theory that helps me understand what’s going on in the world • THREE CORE ASSUMPTIONS • Society is organized to make permanent inequity appear normal, a natural state of affairs, just the way things are • This perception of normality is created & disseminated via dominant ideology • The point of theory is to explain as a prompt to action

What is Critical Thinking? • Clarifying and researching the assumptions that frame our actions,

What is Critical Thinking? • Clarifying and researching the assumptions that frame our actions, decisions and judgments • Exploring alternative perspectives that present us with multiple different realities • Taking informed action based on this analysis

In the Context of Racism & White Supremacy • We Need to Understand…. .

In the Context of Racism & White Supremacy • We Need to Understand…. . • (1) How white supremacy as a dominant ideology is learned and transmitted • (2) How white supremacy is embedded in institutional functioning – policies, structures, protocols, habits • (3) How “good” whites who are unaware of this reality can be brought to understand it • (4) How to develop an anti-racist white identity • (5) How to challenge & dismantle white supremacist systems

White Supremacy • White Supremacy – because of their innately superior intelligence, ability to

White Supremacy • White Supremacy – because of their innately superior intelligence, ability to use reason & logic, & capacity for calm objective analysis, whites should be entrusted with the power & control to make decisions for everyone else. People of color are too unsophisticated, irrational & emotional to be entrusted with power. They have ‘soul’ and physical grace but are deemed not to possess intelligence & are driven by animalistic instinct

Deconstructing the “Good White Person” I am a good person who works diligently in

Deconstructing the “Good White Person” I am a good person who works diligently in anti-racist ways Assumptions I have self-knowledge I can monitor my own racism I know how my actions are perceived & experienced I treat everyone equally and humanely I am free of white supremacist conditioning Racism is something committed by less-enlightened White friends & colleagues

I am a “Good White Person” Who…… • Regularly commits racial micro-aggressions – eye

I am a “Good White Person” Who…… • Regularly commits racial micro-aggressions – eye contact, examples I use, how I run meetings & classes, jokes with other Whites • Will never be free of the learned ideology of White Supremacy • Shouldn’t expect my assurances of anti-racism to be believed • Will be best positioned to uncover my racism by working in multi-racial teams • Should never declare myself an ally

MOST COMMON MIS-STEPS • Blaming People for the Workings of a System they can’t

MOST COMMON MIS-STEPS • Blaming People for the Workings of a System they can’t see • Presenting Privilege as Actively Enacted (it’s unconscious, not having to worry your skin color will make things difficult for you) • Shaming People for Being White • Denigrating & Disdaining People for Racial Un-Awareness • Preaching from a Position of Superiority - You Have the Answers • Requiring Confession followed by your Absolution • Withholding your voice in multiracial dialogues • Expecting to Be Appreciated – You Should Expect to Lose Something • Declaring Yourself an Ally

Approaches • Adjust your definition of success – having the conversation & keeping it

Approaches • Adjust your definition of success – having the conversation & keeping it going • Frame the need for conversation in terms of the mission, purpose, strategic plan etc. • Autobiographical disclosure -Talk about your own struggles with racism • Model a public inter-racial conversation • Define Terms – racism, white supremacy etc. • Understand racism as structural, systemic - a virus, learned behavior, all pervasive, air we breathe

Approaches • Set ground rules – brave space, challenge behavior not the person, only

Approaches • Set ground rules – brave space, challenge behavior not the person, only questions, expecting emotional expression, expecting anger. • Build community responsibility for conversation • Use specific protocols – Bohmian dialog, methodological belief, circle of voices, circular response etc. • Create anonymous backchannels – backchannel chat, sli. do, Critical Incident Questionnaire

Approaches • Explanations of your process as facilitator / leader; eg. Applying the principle

Approaches • Explanations of your process as facilitator / leader; eg. Applying the principle of fairness, why you stay with a particular person/issue, why you call on people, standing your ground when people try to resist & deflect • Scaffolding – starting with events & scenarios away from people’s experiences & then slowly moving to a direct examination of personal/group experience • Scaffolding – moving from unequivocal glaring examples to more nuanced examinations involving intent, context • Direct testimony from those on the receiving end of WS • Regular formative evaluation shared w/ community

Stephen’s Resources on This • Creating an Anti-Racist White Identity (Stylus – Forthcoming, 2021)

Stephen’s Resources on This • Creating an Anti-Racist White Identity (Stylus – Forthcoming, 2021) w/Mary Hess • Teaching Race (Jossey-Bass, 2019) • Powerful Techniques for Teaching Adults (Jossey-Bass, 2013) • Teaching for Critical Thinking (Jossey-Bass 2012) • Radicalizing Learning (w/John Holst) (Jossey-Bass, 2011) • Handbook of Race and Adult Education (Jossey-Bass, 2010) w/ Vanessa Sheared, Juanita Johnson-Bailey, Scipio Colin Jr III, Elizabeth Peterson • The Power of Critical Theory (Jossey-Bass, 2004) • www. stephenbrookfield. com (Go to “Recent Writings” link)