Rice University: Glasscock’s latest ‘Facing Race’ course to address inequities, structural racism
The Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies ’ fifth course in its “Facing Race” series will explore strategies to counteract racial inequities in our city and nation.
Facing Race: Shaping Equitable Futures, a five-week online course open to the public that begins March 22, will include presentations and conversations between Rice faculty and other experts, as well as generative discussions with course participants about actions that can be taken to combat inequity and racism. The class will culminate with a speaker panel addressing intersecting inequities and collaborative, cross-sector approaches to shape more inclusive, equitable and just futures.
“Since the ‘Facing Race’ series began in spring 2021, we’ve involved 21 different Rice faculty, staff and alumni in teaching with us, we’ve had a dozen different campus partners, centers, institutes and departments, and we’ve served over 200 community members in these classes. So what began as a course has now become something that really has been even more profound in terms of its impact,” said Cathy Maris, assistant dean of the Glasscock School’s Community Learning and Engagement Department.
After last year’s ‘Facing Race’ course, titled Structural Racism and Inequity in the United States, Maris said a survey was put out to series participants to determine what the next course should focus on. About 90% of the respondents said they would like to hear more about how to create a more equitable community and culture.
“That survey was the impetus for this semester’s course,” she said.
Amanda Perkins-Ball, an assistant teaching professor in Rice’s Department of Kinesiology, will be teaching about “Dismantling Racism and Inequity in Healthcare” in the third week of the course with Jometra Hawkins-Sneed, co-chair of Houston’s African American Health Coalition.
Perkins-Ball said it’s important to acknowledge what structural racism is first and foremost because of its pervasiveness.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, it really just illustrated how something that affects one person really does affect all of us, whether we realize it or not,” she said. “It may not affect us all in the same way or at the same time. But we’re all part of the greater community. So one person’s problem ultimately is everyone’s problem.
“Structural racism is something that a good portion of society deals with. It impacts our health systems, our education, our social systems, our environment — really every facet of life. And until we understand what it is and how it impacts others, we can’t fix it.”
A 50% tuition discount on the $250 course is available to Rice staff, students, faculty and retirees. A limited number of scholarships are also available to eligible public middle- and high-school educators.
The schedule for the course is as follows:
March 22: “Disrupting Workplace Inequity and Racism: Individual, Relational and Structural Approaches.” Danielle King, assistant professor of psychological sciences, Rice, and Meisha-Ann Martin, senior director, people analytics and research, Workhuman.
March 29: “Forging a Truly Just Criminal Justice System.” Brielle Bryan, assistant professor of sociology, Rice, and Leslie S. Ginzel, chief of holistic services, Harris County Public Defender’s Office.
April 12: “Dismantling Racism and Inequity in Healthcare.” Amanda Perkins-Ball, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Rice, and Jometra Hawkins-Sneed, co-chair, African American Health Coalition.
April 19: “Transforming Education Through Equity.” Erin Baumgartner, director, Houston Education Research Consortium, Rice, and Rick Cruz, deputy superintendent, Houston Independent School District.
April 26: Speaker panel, “Equity at the Intersections.”