Critical Theory: Erasure or Victimhood?

Picture5.png Thursday, July 29 at 10:45 AM

On October 20th 2020, Kemi Badenoch, the UK Government's Equalities Minister said in the UK parliament that “We do not want teachers to teach their white pupils about white privilege and inherited racial guilt,” and further “Any school which teaches these elements of critical race theory, or which promotes partisan political views such as defunding the police without offering a balanced treatment of opposing views, is breaking the law.” (The Guardian, 2020) This workshop will examine Critical Theory (through specific reference to Critical Race and Critical Disability Theory) and ask what the place of Critical Theory is in a neoliberal 'post-truth' society. Does it encourage victimhood (as Badenoch went on to assert) or does it give us a vital framework for academic engagement with systemic oppression? It will consider how oppression and erasure of marginalized voices can be opposed and will look at specific international experiences and examples to show how real-life examples can enlighten the theoretical discourse. By the end of this session, participants will have a very broad and basic understanding of the principles of Critical Theory and be able to formulate their own opinions and ideas around it's use and relevance in tackling oppression and prejudicial behaviors.

Presenters

Andy Bloor

Andy Bloor Andy Bloor is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead for the international Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Derby, UK. Andy has spent over 25 years in education, as both a classroom teacher, advisory teacher for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties in west London and a University Senior Lecturer. He has worked closely with the English government on initiatives as well as working extensively abroad in Palestine, South Africa, Vietnam, The Netherlands and most recently the US, where he explored classroom teachers use of inclusive language. Andy is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Royal Society of Arts and when not teaching or undertaking research can often be found playing his Double Bass in his local orchestra.

 

 

If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at diversity@pitt.edu by July 21