Race & Politics: Civic Conversations About American Policies and Challenges

Americans are reckoning with the role of race in U.S. governmental policies and politics. This class is a space for learners to learn, discuss and understand more about the way that race impacts every level and many aspects of our civic lives.

This class is a space for learners to share ideas, debate solutions and ask questions. We delve into many problems but may not always agree on the solutions- which is fine! Each learner will speak in every class- either to pose a question or make an observation.   Learners who do not like to attend classes with their camera open or those who do not like to speak are not a good fit. Here, learners can ask questions and talk about views, ideas and solutions to the issues that matter in moderated conversations framed by the Question of the Week or Hot Topics submitted by learners.

The class is organized by broad themes.
Posted questions follow the Theme Calendar below. 
Hot Topics are learner generated and can fall into any of the class themes. 

Week of Sept 5- Politics
Week of Sept 12- Education
Week of Sept 19- Hot Topics
Week of Sept 26- Money
Week of Oct 3- Tech
Week of Oct 10- Hot Topics
Week of Oct 17- Health
Week of Oct 24- The Environment
Week of Oct 31- Hot Topics
Week of Nov 7- Random Interesting Things 
Week of Nov 14- History
Week of Nov 21- No Classes- All Learners will be refunded (no action needed from parents)
Week of Nov 28- Media
Week of Dec 5- Hot Topics
Week of Dec 12- Money

Winter Break- Next Class begins the week of January 9th. Same focus- all new conversations.

I post the Question of the Week in the Classroom on Sundays. After our discussion I post additional primary and secondary resources for further study and invite additional conversation in the classroom post. 

Here is a list of sample questions:

Politics
Is the U.S. Senate’s filibuster a racist rule?
Does the Supreme Court need to address racism in the law?
Will the 2020 Census count change the way we talk about race in America? 

Education
Is the government spending enough money on education?
What is the role of HBCUs in educating students of color?
Is college a luxury or a necessity depending on race?

Tech
Is the algorithm racist?
How has social media forced elected officials to pay more attention to racial issues?

The Environment 
What is Environmental Justice and how does it support communities of color?
How is the water where you live- can you drink it? 

Problems. Solutions. ACTIONS. 
Let’s get it!!