Toni Morrison died last night—August 5, 2019—and her family shared news of her passing today, August 6. In the wake of more mass killings in America, we need her presence now. Even in her absence, her written wisdom can speak to us. Morrison and her writing have been much on my mind recently. In a …
Author: Sarah Ruffing Robbins
When They See Us, The Dark Fantastic and The Origin of Others: Why and How White People Need to Watch, Read, and Self-critically Reflect
Soon after When They See Us began streaming on Netflix, I saw an article by Doug Criss on CNN’s website. The lead grabbed me right away: “I tried to watch ‘When They See Us,’” Criss declared. “I couldn’t even get past the trailer.” Criss attributed his feeling overcome to a cluster of related causes: “the …
An “Office Hour” Appointment to Keep
“Office Hour” is a devastating play. But it’s a play whose questions about race, gender, and social class we should be willing to examine. This one-act drama—at Circle Theatre in Fort Worth through May 11—may resonate especially strongly with those of us who have already been “schooled” to think about intersectional identities in classrooms. And …
Supporting “Contingent” Colleagues in Higher Education: What Tenure-Stream Faculty Can Do
It’s springtime in academe. Walking across campus is less a shivering ordeal and more an opportunity to savor the warmer air, the seasonal blooms—and the lively, post-spring-break energy our students are bringing to the classroom. But this is also a season of anxiety for “contingent” faculty. For part-time adjuncts and short-term, contracted-for-a-year teachers, the stress …
A Thanksgiving of/for Learning: National Native American Heritage Month
I’ve purposefully waited until after the US Thanksgiving weekend to draft this blogpost. I’ve been thinking, throughout the entire month of November, about what to say. After all, November is National Native American Heritage Month. As noted on a webpage describing the rightful goal of honoring Native peoples throughout November, the “Library of Congress, National …
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“We Are All Bound Up Together”: Embrace the Powerful Heritage of Frances E. W. Harper’s Women’s Suffrage Rhetoric
Here's a recent TWEET from Civil Rights icon John Lewis: John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) 10/26/18, 1:09 PM The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument we have in a democratic society. Let nothing stand in your way to use it so that together we may build a …
Teaching about Gender Identities in the Context of the Kavanaugh Controversy
I am an educator whose work includes teaching about gender identities in action. I am struggling with how to help my students right now, and in the days ahead, as they respond to the ongoing controversy around Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and multiple women’s charges against him. The impact of this intense conflict—played out …
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An Inquiry into a “Feminist Inquiry” Course
Academic twitter has been bubbling up for weeks with faculty members’ accounts of preparing syllabi. For a lover of curriculum-building like me, reading others’ descriptions of these intellectually rich planning processes is energizing and inspiring. Christina Katopodis (@nemersonian) 8/20/18, 3:00 PM TPS Activity for my American Lit class: "What is your goal for this class? …
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Taking Away the Children
From “Eliza Harris” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper With her step on the ice, and her arm on her child, The danger was fearful, the pathway was wild; But, aided by Heaven, she gained a free shore, Where the friends of humanity open’d their door. From Laura Tohe’s “Introduction: Letter to General Pratt” “Your quotation, …
Celebrating an Archive of Students’ Writing to Learn
I’d like to celebrate an archive of learning emerging from an energizing class I taught in spring 2018. I wish I could open up and read entries from the digital folders where I’ve filed their exciting texts. You’d find distinctive voices. Analyses grounded in thoughtful interviews and site visits. Careful re-readings of literary texts to …
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Sarah Ruffing Robbins 