How can future teachers explore their perceptions about race and identity and the ways their belief systems will impact their students? And how, then, do they extend these conversations to their own classrooms and create opportunities for students to engage in similar explorations?
From March 5-28, the Regarding Race project at the Durham County Library presents an exhibition of photographs that delve into these issues from multiple perspectives. Teaching fellows from UNC-CH and NCCU, and students from Shepard Middle School display dual self-portraits, where they are challenged to create two images: one as they see themselves and the second imagining themselves as “other” than who they are–becoming a person of another race. After working through the process themselves, fellows then go on to implement the project with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students at Shepard Middle School.
Regarding Race is modeled on Wendy Ewald’s “Black Self/White Self” project, part of the Center for Documentary Studies’ Literacy Through Photography program in the Durham Public Schools. Since the project began in 2001, Regarding Race has trained 45 teaching fellows who, in turn, have worked with more than 300 middle-school students. 300 N. Roxboro St, Durham. 560-0150 for information.
