Liberation Now Ep 14: Teaching for Social Justice in these Challenging Times

In this episode, Helen Neville speaks with psychologists Drs. Roxanne Donovan, Grace Kim, and Karen Suyemoto about teaching for social justice in these challenging times. The authors share insights from their two books, Teaching Diversity Relationally and Unraveling Assumptions, both published by Routledge. They discuss psychological and social justice frameworks to teaching and learning about power, privilege, oppression, and resistance and they end with thoughts about practicing hope and engaging in self-care strategies amid domestic and global geopolitical crises.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Dr. Roxanne A. Donovan is a licensed psychologist, certified yoga teacher, and Professor of Psychological Sciences at Kennesaw State University. She writes, presents, and teaches on topics of well-being and social justice. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The Conversation, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Public Radio, and other media outlets.

Her two coauthored books, Teaching Diversity Relationally and Unraveling Assumptions, apply psychological and structural perspectives to the teaching and learning of diversity.

Her popular Wellness Wednesday newsletter focuses on helping faculty of color and other scholars design purpose-driven lives of meaning, fulfillment, and vitality.

Integrated with her professional identities are her rich and multilayered roles as spouse, mama, sister, and auntie.

Linked in: linkedin.com/in/roxannedonovan

Dr. Grace S. Kim is a clinical professor and chair of the Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development Department at Boston University, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Dr. Kim was trained in clinical psychology and researches social justice education and Asian American psychology. She explores how students understand the meanings of diversity; how to teach diversity and social justice effectively; and how to train future professionals to be more culturally humble and responsive. She also focuses on resilience and the mental health of Asian Americans, centering their struggles for liberation, social agency, and solidarity with other marginalized groups.

Dr. Kim is the co-author of two books, Unraveling Assumptions: A Primer for Understanding Oppression and Privilege, and Teaching Diversity Relationally: Engaging Emotions and Embracing Possibilities. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 35 & 45) and the Asian American Psychological Association. She is the recipient of the 2023 Boston University Provost’s Scholar-Teacher of the Year award.

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/grace-s-kim-75600a8

Instagram: @drgraceskim

Karen L. Suyemoto is Professor of Clinical Psychology and Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her teaching, research, and consultations focus on processes and effects of resisting oppression, how racism affects mental health for Asian Americans, and the promotion of organizational change to advance anti-racism and social justice in the academy, and psychological and community organizations. Her recent co-authored books Unraveling Assumptions: A primer for understanding oppression and privilege and Teaching diversity relationally aim to promote conscientization and social justice action for university and community members.

Dr. Suyemoto has served as the Chair of the American Psychological Association’s Task Force for the Guidelines for Race and Ethnicity in Psychology, as President of the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA), and as AAPA’s delegate to the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives. Her expertise as an educator has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Toy Caldwell-Colbert Award for Distinguished Educator in Clinical Psychology and the Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award from the Society for Psychology Study of Social Issues. Nominated by her students and colleagues, she was recognized as a White House Champion of Change: Asian American Pacific Islander Women under the Obama administration.

SELECTED RESOURCES

Authors’ Books:

Kim, G. S., Donovan, R. A., & Suyemoto, K. L. (2022). Teaching diversity relationally: Engaging emotions and embracing possibilities. Routledge.

Suyemoto, K. L., Donovan, R. A., & Kim, G. S. (2022). Unraveling assumptions: A primer for understanding oppression and privilege. Routledge.

Other Books:

Pope, K. S., Chavez-Dueñas, N. Y., Adames, H. Y., Sonne, J. L., & Greene, B. A. (2023). Speaking the unspoken: Breaking the silence, myths, and taboos that hurt therapists and patients. American Psychological Association.

Sue, D. W. (2016). Race talk and the conspiracy of silence: Understanding and facilitating difficult dialogues on race. John Wiley & Sons.

Online Resources:

• Guidelines for Discussing Difficult or High Stakes Topics by University of Michigan Center for Research on Learning and Teaching
• Let’s Talk: Discussing Race, Racism, and Other Difficult Topics with Students by Learning for Justice
• Rethinking Schools
• Teach Palestine: A project of the Middle East Children’s Alliance  
• Teaching about Race and Racism in College Classrooms by Cyndi Kernahan
• Visualizing Palestine 101: A Visual Resource and Educational Hub
• Zinn Education Project

STAY IN TOUCH!

#LiberationNowPodcast

Email: [email protected] | Instagram & X: @liberationlab_  

EPISODE CREDITS

Music: Amir Maghsoodi and Briana Williams

Podcast Artwork: B. Andi Lee & Amir Maghsoodi

Episode Editing: Helen Neville

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

bit.ly/LibNowE14