Speaking your truth
interrupted. I spoke my truth and it didn’t matter whether
The class met twice a week for a little over an hour to discuss
somebody agreed or disagreed.”
various topics the students were familiar with, but did not
Harden says hearing other students open up about their
have a complete understanding of the origins, in addition
experiences created a stronger sense of unity. “Hearing how
to topics they had never encountered. Within the course, an
many people had the same experience really stuck with me.
emphasis was placed on open and honest discussions rather
As an African American, if you are always isolated, you feel like
than assignments. These discussions are what left a lasting
you’re the only one really going through it.”
impression on the students. The discussions brought light to concepts that they were acutely aware of but could not
Moving forward
necessarily name.
All three students recommend the class to “anyone who wants
“For me it was redlining,” says Williams when asked which
reevaluate their thoughts and behavior.
class discussion stood out to her the most. She remembers driving through her hometown and other cities in Michigan and noticing very clear distinctions between where people of different racial groups live and go to school. “You internalize it and you see it, but you don’t really know what’s happening
to learn.” Taylor added that it’s exciting to see people learn and
Harden, Taylor and Williams all identify as people of color, like the majority of the students enrolled in the course. They agree that it would have been interesting and beneficial to have more races in the class to share their viewpoints. They hope a more
or why. Getting the technical terms and the history of
diverse group of students will enroll in the future.
segregation was really eye-opening.”
Wilson was excited to report more students will have the
Harden, a freshman from Canton, Mich., was encouraged by
opportunity to enroll when the course returns in the Spring of
his classmates’ willingness to participate in conversations and speak their minds. “You really have to be in this class if you want to be involved in the learning,” he says. “You really won’t learn anything if you just sit back and do the written assignments. This class wasn’t necessarily about the work, but what you take away
2020. The inaugural class achieved its goal of teaching a more complete history to students and empowering them to get engaged. “We had different members of the TRHT Leadership as guest speakers during the course and that provided tangible examples for students on how to get involved in the work,”
from it.”
Wilson said.
The discussion-heavy structure pushed the students to
“There needs to be a change
engage with each other, even when the topics were sensitive. Taylor applauded Williams for opening up about difficult discussions she had with her family about topics related to the class. Both students got emotional when talking about the bravery it takes to have uncomfortable conversations —
and the change starts with us,” reflects Williams. “It is time for us to point out and challenge these stereotypes. They are there because a lot
especially with people you love.
of people don’t see them —
On the final day of the course, the students participated in a
until I took this class.”
Racial Healing Circle, an experience characterized by sharing
and I was one of those people
individual truths and stories in order to reaffirm humanity and increase consciousness, awareness and empathy. “I had never heard of Healing Circles until this class,” says Taylor. “I think it’s something that should be done within families and at school or at work. You get a chance to put everything out in the open. You don’t feel judged. Today, I felt like I really got a chance to just talk and not be SUMMER 2019
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