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ABSTRACT
In 1989, after an incident in which a white teacher used a derogatory word against three black students in a high school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the school developed a program called “Understanding and Sharing Diversity” (US Group). Every two months, approximately 60 students participated in all-day forums, where they could speak freely about issues and experiences regarding race, racism, and identity in school. This research examines the origins and development of US Group as representative of a particular historical moment and space: a public high school in a progressive Midwestern town during the period of desegregation. It contributes to the literature on critical geographies of education and race through a historical analysis of desegregation policies and their impacts, while also providing a blueprint for antiracist educational initiatives. Keywords: desegregation, education policy, race, anti-racist initiatives
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Richard Ballard, Lori Wojtowicz, Nkrumah Steward, and Julia Hollinger for your time, thoughts and contributions to this paper. I would also like to recognize the work and leadership of Dr. Joetta Mial and those students who continue to apply the skills and experiences they gained in US Group to their daily lives.