As we head further into the American national election and tensions rise, I’d like to remind folks that my wall is a 101-friendly space (for conversations about race, gender, orientation, disability, class, etc.). I’ve been teaching college students for 25+ years now, and that’s shaped my preferred framework for public conversations.

This FB wall is my public living room, and it hosts people from a LOT of different backgrounds.

My default is to assume that we are all ignorant about something, and probably many things. I also assume good will and good intentions until someone shows themselves malicious and/or actively causing injury — at which point, folks get one warning, and if they continue, get blocked. (Or if they’re obvious trolls / bots, they just get blocked.)

So mostly, don’t feel like you need to police my wall — I’ll take care of it. But also, if you’re not feeling patience or energy for 101-level conversations, I completely understand, but maybe you might just want to skip those comments and questions on my wall. Thanks!

I tend to lean towards the ‘brave space’ conversational model whenever I have the energy and emotional wherewithal for it — if you’re not familiar, here’s a brief explanation: https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/…/2—The-6-Pillars-of…”

I know — I’m giving you homework — what can I say? Teachers gotta teach!

(I also acknowledge the need for safe spaces, places where we can rest, and don’t have to be brave.)

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I’m going to pin this up for a bit, just to make more likely that folks see it. Thanks, everyone!