This book offers educational and psychological perspectives to inform practice and increase options in addressing conflict situations. The first part of the book helps the educator understand the reasons for resistance and ways to prevent it. The second part explains how educators motivate dominant groups to support social justice. This book is an excellent resource for group facilitators, counselors, trainers in classrooms and workshops, professors, teachers, higher education personnel, community educators, and other professionals involved with educating others about diversity and equity.
I have recently been involved (overwhelmed) with DEIJ learning and training at my school, and I saw this book in our library. The title seemed to indicate that it was the exact tool I needed to unpack the gaps in my knowledge and frustration with the process. And it is exactly that!
Well researched, easy to access and full of tips and tricks, it feels like Diane Goodman has been in my head anticipating every turn of the journey for me. I am sure I will read chapters from this book several times in the future and will ask people at my school on this journey to read it as well.
I am not sure if Diane Goodman is a well known and/or respected name in this field, but if she is not she should be. This book is a vital roadmap for anyone leading and/or doing any kind of DEIJ work.
This book is intended for people who work as social justice educators, but I think is extremely helpful interpersonally as well. She focuses on how people develop constructive identities as allies and how you can engage in bystander intervention. The appendix also has educational resources.
She covers privilege in a very general way, but draws from a lot of specific examples and research. It is also useful in understanding and reflecting on how your identity as an ally has developed (imo).
Overall I think this provides a nice perspective on social justice. There were times when I wish there was some more hands on activities to do. However, overall it provided a nice framework with occasional concrete ideas peppered in.
Fantastic resource for social justice educators. Lots of reminders about working with people from privileged backgrounds and great theory/model referencing. A must have book for anyone doing this work.