Page 52 - BigConversationsDismantlingRacism

ATTACHMENT 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF BIG CONVERSATION VII

Findings from the Big Conversation VII:

A Community Conversation on

Dismantling Racism: Progress and
Challenges in Our Schools

January 27, 2019

An Executive Summary

The Big Conversation series was originated by Middleham and St. Peter’s Parish in
Lusby to provide opportunities for communitywide civil conversation on topics of
concern. This seventh annual Big Conversation, with support from the 12 “Partners in
Dismantling Racism in Southern Maryland”, was held at Patuxent H.S. on January 27
and drew over 220 participants. The topic was on dismantling racism in our community
with a focus on our schools. It began with a panel of local leaders and students sharing
their experiences in addressing racism in Southern Maryland school systems. Then in
small groups, led by trained facilitators, attendees listened deeply to each other as they
shared experiences and stories. How often do we have an opportunity for Blacks and
Whites to talk with each other and to share and understand our community and life
experiences? The groups considered how we might further dismantle racism in our
schools, what needs to be done, and what we, as individuals and a community, can do.
The following summarizes the recommendations of the panelists, the small groups, and
the attendees.

Listening and Being in Conversation
Racism still exists across our schools. There is a critical need to increase opportunities to
listen deeply to each other through conversations like this. It needs to happen at multiple
levels: among students, between students, teachers, and administrators, and with parents
and the community. It is through listening to each other that we can develop a fuller
appreciation and understanding of where and how racism exists and how to address it. We
need to be better at listening to students. We need to reach people and parents that may not
be open-minded who should be in the conversation. We need to have the courage to address
racism when we see it – not be silent. Examples include developing a “DARE” type
program to address racism and a pamphlet on how to address racism when encountered.

Teacher Training and Development
When teachers encounter racially sensitive situations or have to present culturally sensitive
curricula, they need to be given supports to help them navigate the topics with their students.
Teachers need continuing training in equity and implicit bias, the culture and how to deal
with conflict. We need to help build up a “teacher toolbox” for addressing implicit bias,

43