Saving Public Higher Education: Voices from the Wasteland

Description

In this book, eleven recent college graduates describe in vivid detail their journeys from racially segregated, underfunded public schools to a state university, and the obstacles they encountered along the way. Chapters highlight personal accounts of poverty, violence, and bullying in childhood, the persistence of racism on the university campus and the inability of faculty and administrators to combat it. Overcoming all-too-common barriers, these eleven students persevered, earned their degrees and continued on to graduate school and professional careers. The authors conclude the book with policy proposals that not only address the issues raised by the students, but that would also restore public education to its original role as an engine of opportunity and driver of democracy. Preface Acknowledgments Contents Chapter 1: Introduction: The Context Public Versus Private Education in the United States The University of Nevada, Reno Colin Kaepernick Peter Cvjetanovic The Book of the Oath: A Ghost of Nevada Past The Authors Chapter 2: Black Wastelanders The Myth of Identity Black Wastelanders: Not Really a Group Trisden Canyon Springs Law and Leadership Preparatory Academy Boise State University of Nevada, Reno “Switching it Up: Student Dialogues and Faculty of Color” Henry Childhood Poverty Political Awakening in High School Scholar-Activist Returns Home to Nevada: “Trying Not to be a Shitty Human” Kristen Childhood and School Getting Into College University of Nevada Paying the Bills Aiko Family History; Nevada Legacy Childhood: Menfolk in Jail; Strong Women Keeping it Together An Outsider in School The Reader The Next Step: College? The Navy? Basketball? Race and Hair The University of Nevada Racism Right Out of the Gate at UNR Leaving Reno Chapter 3: Where Are You From From? Definitely Not a Real Group Elsa Family Background Family and Childhood Race Consciousness: Crossing Boundaries Navigating Boundaries: The Switch-Up Attending University The University of Nevada Yesenia Childhood: Family, Community and ICE High Schools: College Bound, Making Things Work, and Losing Her Brother No Spanish Spoken Here Paterno Childhood on the Road Family and Language Race and Religion Christian School and Sex Understanding Race Moving to Nevada Whiteness Tara Childhood: Beloved Family High School: Class Privilege and the Price of Assimilation Microaggressions, Stereotypes, and Islamophobia University of Nevada, Reno White Privilege and Colorism Jose Family Background and Childhood Music and Marxism Escape to Nevada, Episode 1 Economic Class University of Cincinnati Escape to Nevada, Episode 2: Racial Hinterlands La Frontera Chapter 4: White Wastelanders Also Not a Group Thom Childhood, Carson City, Nevada College: University of Nevada Lucy Childhood Family Strife High School Racial Awareness Choosing a College The Crucible: Hitting Rock Bottom and Questioning Academic Elitism Lessons About Racism Chapter 5: The Group Meetings: The Room Where it Happens Finding Our Voices Together Group Meeting, Session 1: October 14, 2017 Introducing the Voices How to Be an Ally: Working Together, Building Alliances, Activism Freedom of Speech: First Amendment Rights and White Supremacy in the Classroom Possible Solutions: Teach-in on Race; Diversity Courses; Cooperation Between Students and Administration Group Meeting, Session 2: November 11, 2017 The Identity Spectrum: The Racist Devil on Everybody’s Shoulder The Room Where It Happens: Open Admission Thinking Without a Banister Chapter 6: Grassroots Pedagogy: Rules of Engagement Suggestions for Teaching Anti-racism on Campus Chapter 7: Conclusion: Saving Public Higher Education The Playing Field Leveling the Playing Field Funding Public Higher Education Diversifying Research Models Micro-Level Reforms Macro-Level Reforms Engaged Pedagogy17 Appendix: Saving Public Higher Education: Voices from the Wasteland Index