This Makes Me Feel Uncomfortable

And Other Distressing Emotions Associated with Learning about Race and Racial Identity

Behind every discomfort, there’s learning… if we stay with the discomfort long enough. There is no other way to learn the skill sets necessary to manage the dynamics of human differences without challenging our assumptions and moving out of our comfort zones.

Discomfort is a natural aspect of any learning process. Even geniuses, gurus, star athletes, great musicians, top artists, saints, prophets, and pretty much everyone learns this way. No discomfort, no learning.

In race education, the discomfort stems from the interruption of our culturally encapsulated living patterns and our culturally myopic thinking. Especially in the current politically charged zeitgeist, staying with discomfort long enough to eke out kernels of truth about race has become increasingly challenging.

Race Education: Encouraged, Prickly, or Taboo Subject?

Race education is a sought after learning experience for some, a prickly subject for others, and a taboo issue for many state lawmakers and education policymakers. Whether it’s examining the historical context for race in laws, policies, and practices, or exploring racial identity in…