Archeology of the Self: Toward Sustaining Racial Literacy

Individuals who develop racial literacy are able to engage in necessary personal reflection about their racial beliefs and practices, and teach their students to do the same. Racial literacy in schools includes the ability to read, write about, discuss and interrupt situations and events that are motivated and upheld by racial inequity and bias. Sustaining racial literacy across the life span is possible by engaging in an “Archeology of the Self” – an action-oriented process requiring love, humility, reflection, an understanding of history, and a commitment to working against racial injustice.