Responding to racial incivility in classrooms: Hospitality and responsibility

Abstract

This paper considers the relationship between education and hospitality in the specific context of moments of incivility in classrooms, with special attention to racial/white resentment. The authors reflect on the extent to which nurturing intellectual candor with interpretive charity (Callan, 2011) can be extended to incivility shaped by white resentment. They contend there is a need to approach hospitality as responsibility (Levinas, 1969, thereby suggesting conditions for student agency. The relationship between the educator as host and giver of hospitality and the students as guests and respondents is discussed (Ruitenberg, 2011b). The paper argues the role of the teacher is key to ensuring those at the receiving end of the perceived attack are able to reclaim hospitality by being given the space and the means to respond to the offense with agency. This paper discusses the need for parameters balancing free speech and teaching moments with restoring agency to the marginalized others. Finally, the study proposes responding to racial resentment requires framing teaching moments within an ethic of responsibility which aims to restore agency for those on the receiving end of racial incivility.

The inequitable consequences of school disciplinary policies on Black girls in Ohio

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Teaching in a global society: Considerations for university-based educational leadership

“…Increasing awareness of culturally diverse social constructs and adopting culturally responsive practices (Bottiani et al, 2018;Gay, 2002Gay, , 2010Ladson-Billings, 1992, 2009 within universities and K-12 schools may eliminate harmful incidents of deficit thinking. Piquemal et al (2019) noted that both the teacher and students have a responsibility to cherish a hospitable learning environment. These researchers added, "a safe space would enable marginalized students to feel empowered to address negative stereotypes and prejudices directed towards them" (p. 190).…”

Hospitality to difference: LGBT, religious education and the Catholic school

“…The next section of the paper will highlight a particular challenge that has arisen for the Church in the context of the Catholic school when considering the identity and growth of all children. The theological roots of a Christian understanding of 'hospitality' will then be explored, a concept undergoing a prolonged revival of interest today in both sacred and secular ethics (see for example Piquemal et al, 2019 andRazu 2019), and the importance of 'otherness' (for example, Mannarini et al 2020) which also has a firm locus within this conversation. First, it is important to draw our attention to language use.…”