“Leaning In: A Student’s Guide to Engaging Constructively with Social Justice Content” by Robin DiAngelo and Özlem Sensoy which appeared in a 2009 issue of Radical Pedagogy. In this article, DiAngelo and Sensoy inform students about the possible difficulties that can arise in an academic social justice course, and steps a student should take in to achieve in the course to gain a higher understanding of the material.
DiAngelo and Sensoy tells us that it can be difficult for students to accept and understand concepts that challenge their world view. DiAngelo and Sensoy suggest that this is because students are uninformed and have strong opinions about the topics discussed within a social justice course. Never the less, it is not impossible for …show more content…
One of the most challenging guidelines for me to follow will be the first rule: “Strive for intellectual humility” (DiAngelo, Sensoy, 2009, p.3). I am usually good about acknowledging when I am ignorant on a topic. Yet, if I believe I know enough information about a topic I will argue with someone who knows more than me than I do. If I don 't argue, I may silently disagree with them and disregard what new, beneficial information they may provide. I would not consider myself as ignorant as the astronomy student, but I have noticed similar behavior in myself. People call me “smart” and sometimes it can go to my head when it comes to learning new things. I have also been known to continue to argue with people even after I realize that they are right and I am wrong. I am prideful. I have spent countless hours arguing with my mother about nutrition. She believes all sugars are bad, including certain fruits. While I understand that sugar is bad and humans should not eat it, I argue that all fruit is very good for humans, even “excessive” consumption of fruit. To this day I maintain this argument because of my pride. I know that fruits with high sugar content like pineapple should only be eaten in small portions, but I do not want to admit to being proven wrong by my mother. Never the less, because this class requires and promotes students to have an open mindset I do not think I will have a big issue in this area, but it can still be detrimental. I hope to minimize and ultimately illuminate the mindset that I sometimes have that I know everything on a given
DiAngelo and Sensoy tells us that it can be difficult for students to accept and understand concepts that challenge their world view. DiAngelo and Sensoy suggest that this is because students are uninformed and have strong opinions about the topics discussed within a social justice course. Never the less, it is not impossible for …show more content…
One of the most challenging guidelines for me to follow will be the first rule: “Strive for intellectual humility” (DiAngelo, Sensoy, 2009, p.3). I am usually good about acknowledging when I am ignorant on a topic. Yet, if I believe I know enough information about a topic I will argue with someone who knows more than me than I do. If I don 't argue, I may silently disagree with them and disregard what new, beneficial information they may provide. I would not consider myself as ignorant as the astronomy student, but I have noticed similar behavior in myself. People call me “smart” and sometimes it can go to my head when it comes to learning new things. I have also been known to continue to argue with people even after I realize that they are right and I am wrong. I am prideful. I have spent countless hours arguing with my mother about nutrition. She believes all sugars are bad, including certain fruits. While I understand that sugar is bad and humans should not eat it, I argue that all fruit is very good for humans, even “excessive” consumption of fruit. To this day I maintain this argument because of my pride. I know that fruits with high sugar content like pineapple should only be eaten in small portions, but I do not want to admit to being proven wrong by my mother. Never the less, because this class requires and promotes students to have an open mindset I do not think I will have a big issue in this area, but it can still be detrimental. I hope to minimize and ultimately illuminate the mindset that I sometimes have that I know everything on a given