Andrea Sonnier
What critical consciousness means?
Educators - check this out and share with your school’s administrators if you and/or your colleagues want and need support in doing this type of deep work. More information about this and the community I'm creating is available on andreasonnierbabin.com - best to view this from your laptop/desktop. #DeafEd #BlackDeafLivesMatter
Video Description: Andrea, wearing her curly black hair down and a blue top with a gold necklace, sits in an office facing the camera, smiling and looking straight at the viewer. She is signing in American Sign Language. There is a row of books on a black desk behind her. At the end of the video is a quote in white font on black background: "Transform yourself to transform the world." - Grace Lee Boggs
Video Transcript: Hey, do you know what critical consciousness means? It's an ongoing process of self-reflection in which we examine the ways we contribute to different forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, colorism, and more. We engage in this process to know better before we can do better at promoting liberation. You know, many of us are ready to act now to create systemic change and free ourselves and our society of oppression, but first, we have to make sure that our actions align with our intentions, our goals, and our values. The critical self-reflective process looks like this: First, we name the problem. For example, if I view a student as inferior because their culture differs from mine, the problem here is that I have a deficit view of that person and others who share that culture. Next, we question the context of the problem. I have to ask myself where, when, and how did I learn this view. During school, in college, at home, on TV? What led me to have this deficit perspective of my student? Then, we work to solve the problem so that we don't continue to harm others and, in the process, perpetuate systemic oppression. You’re probably thinking, “How do we know what the problems or solutions are?” Well, here in CC School, we’ll rely on community-based knowledge. People from many different communities who experienced generational harm and violence have been sharing wisdom that we can all learn from to know, do, and be better with everyone we work with. When we engage in this process of naming, interrogating, and transforming perspectives and behaviors, we can effectively create a space, a world that meets students where they are and serves them based on their needs, identities, cultures, and experiences. This benefits anyone we work with. "Transform yourself to transform the world." - Grace Lee Boggs
