All content areas can ask themselves the following questions:
Who is telling this story? If the text is about a person of a historically underrepresented or oppressed identity, is it written by a person with that identity? If not, consider replacing the text with one written by a person whose story the text is telling.
Does the text reify stereotypes of groups of people?
What other texts about this topic or group of people am I including? Am I making sure to represent broad spectrum of experiences (e.g., not only including texts about Black people in slavery but centering Black joy instead).
Optional: Read this short article by author Nic Stone about the importance of reading texts about Black joy.
Do I understand the socio-political and historical context of this text? Do I need to do any learning myself before bringing this text to my students? What learning do I need to share with my students to provide them with context?
Does the text contain controversial language or concepts? Am I prepared to discuss these words and concepts with my students (e.g., the use of the N word, gendered language). What is the purpose of centering this language in my curriculum? Are there other texts that might accomplish the same thing?
