Pushing Back Against Slow Violence in Traditional English Curriculum

NWP Radio visits with Jessica Rubin, author of “Embracing gentle resistance to the slow violence of traditional English curriculum.” The article explains how a secondary English teacher, Kristen, maintained a commitment to nonviolence in her teaching through “gentle resistance” to the subtle violences embedded in her school’s curriculum and practices. By making purposeful, small-scale changes over time—such as omitting certain texts, reordering content, and elevating student voices—Kristen was able to push back against the slow violence of traditional English instruction without risking her job or professional relationships.