Reflections on ‘Birthing Racial Difference’ in the Classroom

Abstract

Gail Lewis’ (2009) ‘Birthing Racial Difference: Conversations with my mother and others’ appeared in the first edition of <em>Studies in the Maternal</em>, the year I worked as a MAMSIE intern. Here, I consider what this piece has taught me about doing sociological work that centers the autobiographical and what pedagogic possibilities this kind of work can create. Reflecting on conversations with students about <em>Birthing Racial Difference</em>, I consider how the piece opened up ways of thinking and talking about race and racism, whilst challenging any retreat into ‘virtuous whiteness’. In our sociology classroom <em>Birthing Racial Difference</em> provoked and facilitated teaching and learning that centers student experience without avoiding or depoliticising the discussion of race and racism. Through collaborative learning with sociology students, <em>Birthing Racial Difference</em> formed part of my ongoing process of developing a critical pedagogy.