Welcome

Welcome to the SC Social Studies Blog!

Our team at Socially Conscious Social Studies is dedicated to the critical discussion of race relations in human society.  Our overarching question: In what overt and covert ways has "race" functioned in our social consciousness? In this blog, we aim to discuss historical and current events from print media, social media, video, movies, music, et.al., which pertains to the ways we think about, examine, and experience race in our local, national, and international society.  From Minneapolis, Minnesota USA to Sãu Paulo, Brazil race governs how we see each other and how we interact.  Race can determine who is innocent and who is guilty, who can buy a house and get a job, and unfortunately who is afforded the opportunity to receive an education.

Categories of race in our society obscures culture, breeds hate and social indifference, and further bifurcates the haves from the have nots.  The subject of "Race" is uncomfortable and even painful at times, however it is our reality and we must have these critical conversation.  You may not agree with every statement made or every opinion given, but as long as we have a forum to communicate we have the ability to move from the darkness of ignorance to the light of understanding.  American Historian Howard Zinn posits; "but human beings are not machines, and however powerful the pressure to conform, they sometimes are so moved by what they see as injustice that they declare their independence. In that historical possibility lies hope" (You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times.) SC Social Studies is focused on unity not conformity and we look forward to productive and thoughtful dialogues in our attempt to refuse neutrality on this moving train.

-Alisha Volante
Lecturer, Workshop Facilitator, Educator