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Summary

In our conversation, Richie Wills and Dr. Joseph Derrick Nelson explore themes of Black boyhood, diverse masculinities, and the role of Black male teachers (and other educators) in supporting the growth and development of Black boys. They discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for expression, countering negative narratives, and embracing cultural responsiveness in education. The conversation highlights the richness of Black boyhood, the need for kindness and community, and the challenges posed by societal expectations and stereotypes. This conversation considers the challenges and opportunities surrounding Black boys in educational settings, focusing on the impact of societal norms of masculinity, the importance of play, and the need for supportive environments that foster positive masculinity. Additionally, guests emphasize the necessity of recognizing and celebrating the diverse expressions of being among Black boys, advocating for educational practices that honor their childhood and allow them to thrive both socially and emotionally.

Takeaways

• Black boyhood is diverse and rich with imagination.
• Educators play a crucial role in supporting Black boys.
• Creating safe spaces allows for authentic expression.
• Counter narratives can challenge negative stereotypes.
• Cultural responsiveness enhances student engagement.
• Diverse masculinities should be welcomed and celebrated.
• Kindness among Black boys often goes unnoticed.
• Implicit biases affect perceptions of Black boys.
• Celebrating creativity and joy is essential in education.
• The norms of masculinity can be restrictive and harmful.
• A supportive school environment can enhance boys' emotional well-being.
• Positive masculinity can be fostered through kindness and collaboration in classrooms.
• Black boys' play is often misread as disruptive or problematic.
• Play is essential for Black boys' development and should be encouraged.
• Educators need to recognize the value of Black boys' expressions and interactions.
• Black boys should be allowed to explore their identities without fear of judgment.
• The presence of Black male teachers can positively impact Black boys' educational experiences.
• Childhood should be preserved for Black boys, allowing them to dream and play freely.
• Educational systems must challenge stereotypes and create inclusive environments for all children.

Essay mentioned in this Episode

• "A Place Where The Soul Can Rest" by bell hooks from her book, Belonging: A Culture of Place

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Summary
For this episode, Dr. Josephine Pham of the Mai Pedagogy Project interviews Dr. Tiffany M. Nyachae about the Evolving Education Project, its origins, and the importance of creating a platform for diverse voices in education. Their discussion also covers how topics and guests are selected for the podcast, listener engagement, and future visions for the project. They also emphasize the power of podcasting as a medium for dialogue and knowledge sharing, particularly among Communities of Color. In this engaging conversation, Tiffany and Josephine explore themes of connection, sisterhood, and the importance of writing partnerships in academia. They reflect on their shared journeys, the vulnerability of sharing scholarly work, and the affirmation they find in each other's support. The discussion highlights the interplay between community engagement and scholarship, emphasizing the value of dialogue in creating knowledge. As they look towards future collaborations, they express gratitude for their relationship and the impact it has on their personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

• The Evolving Education Project aims to bridge the gap between academia and community practitioners.
• Podcasting allows for intimate conversations that honor oral traditions in Communities of Color.
• Selecting topics for the podcast is driven by personal interests and the desire to amplify voices of Color.
• Engagement from listeners has been surprising and heartwarming, showing the impact of the podcast.
• Future plans include expanding into TV series and documentary reviews to further explore educational themes.
• The podcast is a space for love, respect, and solidarity among Communities of Color.
• Tiffany values the contributions of her former students and co-hosts in shaping the podcast.
• The importance of creating accessible knowledge in education is a core mission of the project.
• Tiffany's approach to podcasting is informed by her experiences as a scholar and educator.
• Building a supportive team is essential for the sustainability of the Evolving Education Project.
• Listeners are deeply considered and appreciated.
• Sisterhood provides strength and support in challenging times.
• Writing partnerships can enhance personal and professional growth.
• Vulnerability in sharing work fosters deeper connections.
• Affirmation from peers is crucial for confidence in scholarship.
• Community engagement enriches academic work.
• Dialogue is essential for knowledge creation.
• Future collaborations can expand the impact of their work.
• The importance of being succinct in communication is emphasized.
• Gratitude for shared experiences strengthens relationships.

Previous Episodes and Book mentioned in this Episode

• S2:E13: "Dr. Nyachae, Where You Been!?"
• Reclaiming the Multicultural Roots of U.S. Curriculum: Communities of Color and Official Knowledge in Education by Wayne Au, Anthony L. Brown, and Dolores Calderón
• S1:E5 A Dialogue with Asian and Asian American Women: Responding to the Moment
• S2: E26 Interlude: Should We Abandon the Term "People of Color" as an Identifier?
• S2:E23 A Gathering on Reservation Dogs (TV Series Review) - Part 1 of "Honor

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Summary
In this episode, we are in conversation with youth leaders, Jeremiah Salazar and Joelle Hennington-Jeffries, and staff member, Joseph Williams of the Police Free LAUSD Coalition to discuss the criminalization and overdisciplining of Black students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Police Free LAUSD Coalition aims to improve schooling conditions for Black students and emphasizes the importance of community involvement and racial equity. We discuss how the Coalition has been successful in improving schooling conditions for Black students, such as, banning the use of pepper spray by school police against students. Importantly, guests argue that change for students doesn’t happen without concern for their families and communities.

Takeaways
School safety must be reimagined without police presence.
Funding Black futures is a priority for the coalition.

Film and Petition mentioned in this Episode

• SIGN this petition to defend Black students in LAUSD and protect the Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) by putting the BLACK back in BSAP!
• 13th Documentary

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For this episode, I am in conversation with Dr. Ariana Denise Brazier, Diana Gamez, Professor Damien M. Sojoyner, and Luma Hasan; four of the book contributors inThe Promise of Youth Anti-Citizenship: Race and Revolt in Education edited by Drs. Kevin L. Clay and Kevin Lawrence Henry Jr. We explore the concept of anti-citizenship, particularly in relation to youth and their experiences within educational systems. Guests discuss how anti-citizenship serves as a framework for understanding the struggles faced by marginalized communities, particularly for Black, Salvadoran, and Palestinian youth. They highlight the importance of play and community organizing as forms of resistance and survival, and examine the intersections of racial capitalism and citizenship. This conversation delves into the complexities of nation-state development, racial capitalism, and the implications of anti-Blackness in migration dynamics. Guests also explore the fragility of these systems and the role of education in shaping citizenship. Finally, they discuss the importance of collective action and community resilience in the face of systemic oppression, emphasizing the need for a reimagined understanding of citizenship that transcends traditional frameworks.

Takeaways
Anti-citizenship provides a framework for understanding youth experiences.
Play is a vital form of resistance for marginalized youth.
The concept of citizenship is often misleading and exclusionary.
Racial capitalism shapes the experiences of Black youth in education.
Community organizing is essential for creating alternative structures of justice.
The narratives of Salvadoran youth are often criminalized and misunderstood.
Youth are capable of navigating oppressive systems through their own agency.
Education systems often perpetuate violence against marginalized communities.
The historical context of citizenship reveals deep-rooted inequalities.
Healing can occur through naming and contextualizing experiences of oppression.
The fragility of nation-state development is a constant concern.
Racial capitalism intertwines with the logics of race.
Education serves as a critical tool for social order.
Anti-Blackness is foundational to the racial order in cities like Los Angeles.
Migration patterns are influenced by U.S. foreign policy and violence.
Rejecting citizenship's assimilation is vital for marginalized communities.
Educators play a crucial role in challenging oppressive systems.
Collective action is essential for dismantling state power.
Community resilience can thrive outside state structures.
Understanding our collective power is key to liberation.

Sound Bites
"This is a healing journey for me."
"I am forever grateful for the timeliness of it (anti-citizenship framework)."
"Anti-citizenship became a gift."
"They (Black youth) know what's going on."
"They (Black youth) fight their own battles."
"They (Black youth) were able to create these spaces of thriving."
"There is no true participation within the civic."
"Education is tied to the hip with the civic."
"There's no acceptable way to be disruptive."
"We need to be bound in community."

Books and Scholars Referenced in this Episode:

• Militant Education, Liberation Struggle, Consciousness: The PAIGC education in Guinea Bissau 1963-1978 by Sónia Vaz Borges
• Ruth Wilson Gilmore

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Summary
For this episode, I am in conversation with Drs. Kevin L. Clay and Kevin Lawrence Henry Jr., editors of the book, The Promise of Youth Anti-Citizenship: Race and Revolt in Education. We discuss the narrow confines of citizenship as defined by the state, especially in terms of what constitutes the ‘good’ citizen versus the ‘bad’ or ‘deviant’ citizen. We also uncover the complexities of civic engagement, recognizing political strategies beyond voting, and the need for collective action and engagement in radical organizations. Additionally, we emphasize the need for solidarity and collective action to combat the divisions created by racial capitalism. Explored are the impacts of social proximity on understanding shared struggles and the sacrifices required for true activism. Our conversation culminates in a reflection on the role of love and relationships with youth as a sustaining force in the work.

Takeaways
Traditional civic education has limitations.
Civic institutions are designed to maintain the status quo.
Black resistance is diverse and multifaceted.
Voting is just one aspect of citizenship.
Protests often go unheard, leading to civic estrangement.
The state often does not represent the interests of marginalized communities.
Class dynamics are crucial in discussions about Black capitalism.
The transition to middle-class civics can create divisions.
Solidarity is essential for collective action against anti-citizenship.
Understanding anti-citizenship requires a focus on collectivity. Being in right relationship and solidarity is critical.
We lose the ability to be in solidarity when we are not in community.
Sacrifice and discomfort are often required for solidarity.
Understanding our shared fate is essential for collective action.
The shift in social proximity affects our understanding of community.
We must actively build relationships to understand our neighbors' struggles.
Ignoring global issues impacts our local communities.
Investing in radical organizations is crucial for social change.
Love sustains and propels us in our activism.

Books, Articles, and Scholars Referenced in this Episode:

• Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition by Cedric J. Robinson
• Closed for Democracy: How Mass School Closure Undermines the Citizenship of Black Americans by Sally A. Nuamah
• Black Bourgeoisie: The Book That Brought the Shock of Self-Revelation to Middle-Class Blacks in America by E. Franklin Frazier
• "Black Curriculum Orientations: A Preliminary Inquiry" by William Watkins
• Adolph Reed
• William Julius Wilson

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Summary
Dr. Tiffany M. Nyachae and Dr. Ruth M. López question the utility of the identifier “People of Color” and whether we should abandon it as a term of unspoken solidarity and political strategy given the recent social media uproar around the fact that a large percentage of Latinos voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election. In this conversation, they reflect on their experiences as Women of Color and the challenges of navigating social media discussions around race and solidarity. The dialogue emphasizes the need for nuanced conversations about identity, solidarity, and responsibility in the face of anti-blackness and other forms of oppression while offering necessary pathways forward. The conversation also delves into the fragility of masculinity in discourse, the exhaustion of political engagement, and the need for critical conversations around voting and accountability. They emphasize the importance of unpacking terms like “Black and Brown” and the oversimplification of voting demographics in media narratives. As they explore the complexities of racial identity, particularly the term "People of Color" and its implications, they discuss the historical context of this term, its evolution, and the importance of solidarity among marginalized groups. The conversation highlights the challenges of collective advocacy, the need for clear communication, and the significance of teaching future generations about solidarity and social justice. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of understanding individual and collective identities while navigating the complexities of race and politics.

Takeaways
Social media can amplify voices but also complicate discussions.
Anti-blackness exists within various communities and must be addressed.
Racial identity is not monolithic; it varies across individuals.
Political choices can have profound impacts on Communities of Color.
Terminology like “People of Color” can obscure real differences in experiences.
Education is crucial in understanding historical and systemic issues.
Conversations about race and identity require trust and vulnerability.
There's a responsibility to document stories in our communities.
Assumptions about Latinx identities often lack historical context.
Voter fatigue is a real issue in political engagement.
Voting is just one part of a larger political project.
Terms like “Black and Brown' need careful unpacking.
Media oversimplifies the complexities of voting demographics.
Historical context is crucial in understanding racial terms.
Solidarity among marginalized groups is essential for social change.
Teaching children about solidarity is vital for future generations.
Racial terminology has evolved and continues to change.
The narrative around racial identity is often messy and complex.
Conversations about race should be ongoing.

Articles and Books Referenced in this Episode:

• "Anti-Black Latino Racism in an Era of Trumpismo" by Jasmine M. Haywood
• "'People of color' are Protesting. Here's what you need to know about this New Identity" by Efrén Pérez
• The Miner's Canary: Enlisting Race, Resisting Power, Transforming Democracy by Lani Guinier and Gerald Torres
• "'People of Color' as a Category and Identity in the United States" by Paul Starr and Edward P. Freeland

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Summary
In this episode, we showcase the work of Migizi, an Indigenous youth-serving organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tiffany Nyachae is in conversation with Migizi youth workers, Kija Deer and Kaylin Lopez. They discuss their roles, the importance of community, and how Migizi fosters cultural connections and social development. The conversation highlights the significance of providing spaces for youth to explore their identities and the challenges faced by urban Native youth in connecting with their culture. In this conversation, Tiffany, Kija, and Kaylin discuss the importance of cultural identity among Indigenous youth, the challenges of cultural disconnection, and the role of community organizations in fostering support and reconnection to culture. They explore how cultural practices and mentorship can empower youth, the significance of educational support, and the joy found in personal passions. The dialogue emphasizes the need for patience and understanding from adults towards Indigenous youth, highlighting the reciprocal nature of relationships within the community.

Takeaways

Migizi provides a comfortable space for youth.

Cultural practices are essential for youth identity.

Community support is crucial for youth development.

Youth need places to relax and connect after school.

Cultural opportunities help reconnect youth with their heritage.

The importance of mentorship in youth programs.

Urban areas can disconnect Native youth from their culture.

It's never too late to learn about one's culture.

Building bonds within the community fosters growth.

Youth programs should focus on cultural and social development.

Cultural disconnection is a significant issue for Indigenous youth.

Reconnecting with cultural identity is essential for personal growth.

Community organizations play a vital role in supporting youth.

Mentorship from older generations is invaluable for youth development.

Educational support is crucial for academic success.

Youth bring new energy and ideas to community organizations.

Patience and kindness are necessary when working with Indigenous youth.

Engaging in cultural practices nurtures the spirit and identity.

Personal passions, like math and art, contribute to joy and fulfillment.

Building connections within the community fosters a sense of belonging.

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In this episode, I interview Dr. Wayne Au and Dr. Dolores Calderón, two of the three authors of the award-winning book and inspiration for the series, Reclaiming the Multicultural Roots of U.S. Curriculum: Communities of Color and Official Knowledge in Education. We discuss how different Communities of Color have resisted erasure from U.S. curriculum and the importance of recovering and synthesizing these histories in ways that are decolonial and outside the white gaze. The authors also discuss their approaches to recovering these histories and documenting the fight for structural and curricular inclusion in schools and self-determination among Communities of Color marginalized by race, ethnicity, culture, indigeneity, language, and/or immigration status in the U.S.

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