Addressing Racism in the Classroom

In today’s culture, social media is filled with graphics, posts and stories advocating for diversity and sharing resources. Unfortunately, these posts often oversaturate the media and become lost in a mess of information as people frantically share in order to protect their “reputation” as an ally. This culture has fostered performative activism and has given many the false idea that a mere social media post is enough to cause change. Because of the false sense of accomplishment that comes with going through the motions of a performative activist, the classroom remains a place in which racism and ignorance persists.

Rather than using real-life opportunities to advocate for Black students, professors and students alike rely on the few Black students in classes to speak out on behalf of the entire Black community. These students wield the responsibilities of educating and diversifying the classroom. Microaggressions and blatantly racist comments are no strangers to Black students — it happens much too often within our own University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (CJC). In the midst of these moments, classmates who repost about inclusivity on their Instagrams remain silent and professors leave it to Black students to speak up for themselves. Allyship is not reposting on an Instagram story; It is addressing the ignorance and racism that is happening in the real world. 

“There are teachers not addressing things when people say something just blatantly racist and ignorant and the professor just kind of letting it go, but allowing the person of color to say something. Why do we have to be the ones responsible and carrying that weight when we carry that weight everyday anyways?” Camille Hagins, Vice President of UF’s Black Public Relations Student Society, said.

The classroom should be a place of learning and growth that caters to all students. Black students should not have to constantly defend themselves. They should know that they will be fought for and supported by their peers, especially when these peers are posting about diversity on their social media platforms. Rather than seeing posts advocating for their equal treatment, Black students should be surrounded by people who are practicing what they post and who will stand up for their fellow students. Professors should be properly equipped to support their Black students and trained in advocating for diversity within their classrooms. As educators, it is essential that our professors are receiving the appropriate training that will allow them to include Black students in their discussions, in their curriculum, and to make certain that they are well supported. 

Diversity initiatives are often treated as separate entities and are not well incorporated into the daily functions of the classroom. It should be something that is integrated into the already existing structures of the classroom. Affinity organizations and diversity classes have created a safe space and launched the initiative, but we must take this further and change the systemic racism that resides in our classrooms. 

“We don't need a separate class to talk about diversity and inclusion,”  Jania Lowe, a fourth-year public relations student, said. “We can implement that into all of our classes at this school.” 

How We Can Be Better Allies

As members of PRSSA and as students of the J-School, it is vital that we advocate for Black students, and that we address racism in the classroom. Advocating for mandatory diversity training will give professors the tools and knowledge to implement modified course materials, assignments and approaches that will uplift marginalized voices, while not putting the burden on those students. Rather than glazing over a racist comment, professors should be better equipped to acknowledge the moment, and use the opportunity to educate. According to a study done at the College of Charleston and the University of North Carolina, participation in a summer diversity training had a significant impact on the culture of the campuses. The training allowed for all students to experience benefits in the classroom environment and with professional development.

“If professors are constantly having to have these conversations with each other, [and]  if they're constantly being taught what's new, what's the new language, what’s the appropriate language that we're using, because language is always changing, I think that if they learn those things, that's the first step,” Daisha Peek, fourth-year public relations student, said. 

There are also many things that we can do as students and as allies. The most important thing we can do is to hold ourselves and our peers accountable. Ask your professors questions that will bring diversity and inclusion into the classroom. Speak up when you hear racism in the classroom, and do not leave it to students of color to defend themselves. If you are a non-Black student, use your position to bring a different perspective to the issue and to educate people who might be reluctant to understand the issue when coming from a person of color. Before posting something to raise awareness, make sure to consider ways in which you can bring this into your daily life and into your everyday interactions and conversations. Take your activism beyond the screen and into the world. Educate yourself and your peers and support Black students always, not just at an obligatory diversity meeting. 

“If I were to speak up about something someone said that was ignorant or racist, it is not going to have the same reaction as if a white person were to say something of the same thing to that person because I'm going to be perceived as, you know, the angry Black woman,” Shandia Lewis-Booker said.

The Future of Diversity in the J-School

 If Black students are not represented in the classroom, the future of communications and diversity will suffer. As a predominantly white institution (PWI), it is our responsibility, or the responsibility of the faculty, to make the J-school a more diverse and inclusive environment. Black students should not be reluctant to participate in class or join organizations due to a lack of inclusivity. By learning how to better serve the Black community and taking away some of the extra barriers that Black students face every day, we will grow as a community and as communicators. This is the first step in bringing inclusivity into our school, workforce and world. We must create an environment in which every individual feels valued and appreciated for their backgrounds and what they have to bring to the table. It is long overdue, and we must be intentional about better serving Black students within our own college. 

Booker, Keonya C.; Merriweather, Lisa; and Campbell-Whatley, Gloria (2016) "The Effects of Diversity Training on Faculty and Students’ Classroom Experiences," International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Vol. 10: No. 1, Article 3.

Written by Desiree Anello