School of Theatre and Dance Diversity Statement
The School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University believes that equity, access, and inclusion are moral imperatives and artistic obligations. Diversity—in the stories we represent, the students we serve, and the audiences we engage—is vital for the health and relevance of contemporary performing arts practice. The School of Theatre and Dance, therefore, welcomes diversity of perspective, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability.
Anti-Racism Resources and Materials
This list is curated by the JMU School of Theatre and Dance. While not an exhaustive list, it aims to provide resources to STAD students, faculty, staff, alumni, and our larger community. Suggestions for additional resources can be submitted here for review.
Black Lives Matter
Anti-Racism in the Performing Arts
Articles:
- Beyond Decolonizing the Syllabus: Finding a Path to Anti-Racist, Actively Inclusive Theatre Education by David Valdes
- Playwrights of Color, White Directors, and Exposing Racist Policy by Nicole Brewer
- Woke Supremacy: A Critical Perspective on the American Theatre by Donny Repsher
Websites/Resource Lists:
Collated Anti-Racism Resources
Websites/Resource Lists:
- 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge
- A Comprehensive Anti-racism Resource List
- JMU Anti-racism in Action Online Book & Resource Display
- Resources for Race, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion
- Scaffolded Anti-Racism Resources (Stages, Resources, & Next Steps)
- Teaching Artistry & Social Justice Resource Database
- Where Do I Begin? 28-Day Daily Reading Plan
- Addressing Disparities in Finance for Black & African Americans
- Financial Resources for Hispanics & Latinos
- Managing Financial Challenges for Asians & Pacific Islanders
- Strengthening Financial Outcomes for Native Americans
- Financial Literacy & African Americans: Bridging the Gap
Race/Racism
Books:
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
- Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
- The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing
- Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And other Conversations about Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Articles:
- "Why Do Millennials Not Understand Racism?" by Jamelle Bouie
- How to Talk to Your White Colleagues, Friends, and Family About Racism
Videos:
Anti-Racism in the Classroom
Books:
- Black Appetite. White Food: Issues of Race, Voice, and Justice Within and Beyond the Classroom by Jamila Lyiscott
- Everyday Antiracism: Getting Real About Race in School edited by Mica Pollock
- For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… And the Rest of Y’all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education by Christopher Emdin
- Not Light, but Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom by Matthew R. Kay
- Readings for Diversity and Social Justice edited by Maurianne Adams, et al.
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- Teaching about Race and Racism in the College Classroom: Notes from a White Professor (Teaching and Learning in Higher Education)
- Teaching Race: How to Help Students Unmask and Challenge Racism
- We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom by Bettina Love
Articles:
- Addressing Racism and Hate in the Classroom
- Talking About Race - National Museum of African American History & Culture
- Teaching Tolerance - Teaching About Race and Racism
Websites/Resource Lists:
Miscellaneous:
Whiteness Studies
Books:
- Becoming and Unbecoming White: Owning and Disowning a Racial Identity (Critical Studies in Education & Culture) by Christine Clark and James O'Donnell
- Black On White: Black Writers on What It Means to Be White by David Roediger
- Learning to Be White: Money, Race and God in America New edition by Thandeka
- The Wages of Whiteness: Race and the Making of the American Working Class by David Roediger
- White Out: The Continuing Significance of Racism 1st Edition by Ashley W. Doane (Editor), Eduardo Bonilla-Silva (Editor)
- White Women, Race matters: The Social Construction of Whiteness by Ruth Frankenberg
- White by Richard Dyer
- Whiteness Visible: The Meaning of Whiteness by Valerie M. Babb
- Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It Second Edition Second Edition by Shelly Tochluck
*While White Fragility appears on many booklists, after careful consideration STAD decided to remove this foundational text in light of recent articles surrounding its use in relation to Black Lives Matter. Please read more about this choice by looking at:
- The Dehumanizing Condescension of White Fragility
- White fragility is real. But ‘White Fragility’ is flawed.
- The limits of White Fragility's anti-racism.
- Confronting DiAngelo’s ‘White Fragility’ in the Time of #BlackLivesMatter
Articles:
- "Critical Whiteness Studies" by Barbra Applebaum
- "The Social Construction of Whiteness: Racism by Intent, Racism by Consequence" by Teresa Guess
- "What is Whiteness?" by Nell Irvin Painter
- "Whiteness as property. Harvard Law Review" by Cheryl I. Harris
- "Representations of Whiteness in the Black Imagination" by Bell Hooks
- The Sugarcoated Language of White Fragility
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
- "On Being White: Thinking toward a Feminist Understanding of Race and Race Supremacy" by Marilyn Frye
Theatre and Dance
Accredited institutional member of the
National Association of Schools of Dance
and the National Association of Schools of
Theatre.
National Association of Schools of Dance
and the National Association of Schools of
Theatre.
