Critical Race Theory: Comfort in the Classroom

"Nothing about education is about just making you feel comfortable. Sometimes we learn the most in the midst of discomfort."—Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings

Episode | Related Video | Transcript

Critical Race Theory: Comfort in the Classroom

Clip: S2 Ep1 | 1m 1s

Having uncomfortable conversations about race in the classroom.

Related Clips:

Critical Race Theory

Angela Fitzgerald discusses Critical Race Theory with Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings.

S2 Ep1 | 26m 48s

Critical Race Theory: Breaking It Down

What is critical race theory? Why has it become such a controversial topic?

Clip: S2 Ep1 | 1m 47s

Critical Race Theory: Fighting the Impossible Fight

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings on why things that feel “impossible” are worth doing.

Clip: S2 Ep1 | 2m 50s

GUEST

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings is Professor Emerita and former Kellner Family Distinguished Professor in Urban Education in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2005-06 she served as president of the American Educational Research Association, and from 2017-2021 she was elected as president of the National Academy of Education. She has authored several books, including The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children and Critical Race Theory in Education: A Scholar’s Journey.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings: When you say you don’t want to have any discussion on race . . . when you say we don’t want white children to feel bad . . .

You know, when I first heard that, I thought, “Well, my God, where were you in the 1950s and ’60s when I was in school?”

[Angela chuckles]

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings: Because I had to sit through honors English classes reading Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, with the liberal use of the n-word. And all of my white classmates sniggling and giggling, right?

I had to sit through Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. Nothing about education is about just making you feel comfortable. Sometimes we learn the most in the midst of discomfort.

Angela Fitzgerald: Watch more Why Race Matters online and on the PBS app on your phone, tablet, Roku, or any other streaming device.