The “Name Game”: racialization in a suburban high school (Encore)

The “Name Game”: racialization in a suburban high school (Encore)

Author: Ethical Schools September 22, 2023 Duration: 49:53
Drs. Tony de Jesus, Anthony Johnston, and Don Siler of University of St. Joseph recount their intervention in a multiracial high school in crisis. White students had instigated a “game” of addressing Black students as the n-word. We discuss the impact of racialization in the Trump era on white students, students of color, and the school community as well as actual and potential responses by schools. *Episode originally posted on February 26th, 2020. Overview00:00-00:48 Intros 00:49-03:13 “Name game”: the background 03:14-04:58 The “name game” 04:59-05:30 The intervention 05:31-08:41 Student: “Being white means being seen as racist” 08:42-12:13 Racialized identities/racialization of youth 12:14-13:39 Impact of racialization on school community 13:40-16:46 Obstacles to whites grasping the impact of race-related experiences on Black students 16:47-19:03 Administrators’ and faculty members’ responses 19:04-20:37 The blame game 20:38-23:43 White students  who wanted to address the issue 23:44-29:35 The “n-word” and language 29:36-34:08 Applying the lens of ethics 34:09-37:00 Bakhtin, carnival, heteroglossia 37:01-46:30 How can schools respond to racism/racist actions? 46:31-48:05 Parents 48:06-49:30 Outro TranscriptClick here to see the full transcription of the episode.  References Book Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Tatum. Article on Semantic Scholar “The Name Game”: Adolescent Racialization in the Era of Trump  by Anthony Johnston, Don Siler, Anthony De Jesús Credits Photo by Spencer Pierce / Unsplash Soundtrack by Podington Bear

Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
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