Affirming Blackness in Higher Education: Black Affirming Pedagogy

What is it about?

Education systems in settler colonial and ex-colonial societies reproduce anti-Black racism by excluding, misrepresenting and stereotyping Black experiences, knowledge and contribution to society. Black Afffirming Pedagogies seek to resist and correct these violences through strategies that allow educators to: affirm blackness and black humanity; construct new and inclusive narratives of society; and empower social justice actions and solidarity between BIPOC and others vested in antiracist practices. The article provides practical pedagogical strategies to achieve these outcomes. It is informed by anti-oppressive theories including Black Feminism, Critical Race Theory and Critical Anti-Racist Theory. Suggestions for overcoming resistance from students and the wider academy are provided.

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Why is it important?

This paper is both timely and important because it illustrates how educators can design courses and deliver lessons in ways that aligns with antiracist praxis. Educators can use the strategies to plan courses, align lessons and evaluations in ways that affirm the experiences and knowledges of BIPOC. The strategies are applicable to anyone interested in anti-oppressive work, not just anti-Blackness. The paper also provides strategies to overcome resistance and offer support to educators who might be shy about undertaking or burdened by anti-oppressive work.

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