Episode 41 - Dear Reader: In Solidarity, Felicia

As educators, how do we decenter our ego? How do we decenter our authority? How do we give up the practice of regurgitating information to our students, demanding of them our definition of "success," and, instead, ally and co-conspire with them? These are the essential questions that frame Episode 41: "Dear Reader: In Solidarity, Felicia," featuring Felicia Rose Chavez, who is the Creativity and Innovation Scholar-in-Residence at Colorado College. Felicia is the author of the book "The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom," which is the basis of this episode's discussion. In their chat, co-produced by the Denver area's BookBar, it becomes clear that Felicia's commitment to this work offers thought-provoking, inspiring and innovative ways to restructure what creative expression looks and feels like. She advocates for the centering of students' artistry and the decentering of traditional authority, specifically that which perpetuates white supremacist power structures, including white orientation, narrative and dominance. Throughout the episode, Felicia offers up excerpts from her book, highlighting segments with titles like "A Safe Space for Creative Concentration" and "Academic Freedom," and notes that she, too, wanted not only to write this book, but to do this important anti-racist work herself. Felicia also draws connections to her own creative work—which she admits IS her life—in which she aims to be anti-racist and support students through their own personal artistic preferences and story sharing, not only as a creative exercise but as a part of a movement toward social justice, urging students to want, need, and insist their stories are heard. What else do Courtney and Felicia discuss? You'll have to listen to find out. You won't want to miss this fascinating episode!