Bettina Love’s We Want to Do More Than Survive challenges educators to move beyond mere survival in education, advocating for abolitionist teaching and empowerment of Black and Brown students through radical systemic change and joy.
Overview of the Book and Its Author
We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom is a compelling book authored by Bettina Love, a renowned educator, researcher, and advocate for equity in education. Published in 2019, the book is a powerful critique of the current educational system, blending Love’s personal experiences as a Black educator with extensive research. Love argues for an abolitionist approach to education, aiming to dismantle oppressive systems and create spaces where Black and Brown students can thrive. The book is both a call to action and a framework for transformative change, offering practical strategies for educators, activists, and policymakers. Love’s work has been widely praised for its intersection of critical race theory, education policy, and grassroots activism, making it a vital resource for those committed to educational justice.
The Significance of the Title and Its Relevance Today
The title We Want to Do More Than Survive reflects a powerful call to move beyond mere existence in an unjust system. Bettina Love emphasizes that survival is not enough; the goal is to thrive and achieve educational freedom. The phrase “do more than survive” resonates deeply in today’s context, where systemic inequities persist in education. Love’s work challenges educators to shift from maintaining the status quo to actively dismantling oppressive structures. This message is particularly relevant now, as communities demand transformative change and equity in schools. The title encapsulates the book’s central theme of abolitionist teaching, urging educators to envision and create a future where all students can flourish. Its relevance underscores the urgency of reimagining education to prioritize joy, justice, and liberation for marginalized communities.
Key Themes in “We Want to Do More Than Survive”
Bettina Love explores abolitionist teaching, freedom dreaming, and Black joy as radical acts of resistance against oppressive education systems, advocating for transformative change and liberation.
Abolitionist Teaching: Definition and Principles
Abolitionist teaching, as defined by Bettina Love, is a radical approach to education that seeks to dismantle oppressive systems and structures within schools. It emphasizes the importance of liberation and equity, focusing on the empowerment of historically marginalized communities. Love argues that abolitionist teaching goes beyond mere survival; it aims to create transformative change by challenging racial violence, oppression, and systemic inequities. The principles of abolitionist teaching include centering Black joy, fostering critical consciousness, and encouraging collective action. Love combines personal experiences with empirical research to advocate for an education that not only liberates but also humanizes Black and Brown students. This approach calls for educators to actively work toward systemic change, moving beyond the status quo to create a more just and equitable educational system.
Freedom Dreaming: Imagining a Better Future for Education
Bettina Love’s concept of “freedom dreaming” envisions a future where education is liberatory, just, and equitable. It calls for educators and communities to imagine schools that prioritize racial justice, creativity, and the empowerment of marginalized students. Freedom dreaming is not just about reforming the current system but about transforming it entirely, moving beyond survival to thriving. Love argues that this vision requires collective action, radical imagination, and a commitment to dismantling oppressive structures. By centering the voices and experiences of Black and Brown students, freedom dreaming seeks to create an education that fosters joy, agency, and liberation. This approach challenges educators to think critically about their role in creating a future where education is a tool for freedom, not oppression.
Black Joy as a Radical Act in Education
Bettina Love emphasizes that Black joy is a radical act of resistance against systemic oppression in education. By centering joy, educators can challenge the dehumanizing structures that often marginalize Black students. Love argues that joy is not merely a feeling but a political act that disrupts the status quo. It involves celebrating Black culture, histories, and identities, creating spaces where students can thrive authentically. This approach rejects the notion that education must be rooted in suffering or survival. Instead, it imagines classrooms where Black students’ humanity is affirmed, and their futures are filled with hope and possibility. By prioritizing joy, educators can help students reclaim their agency and dignity, fostering a sense of liberation and empowerment that extends beyond the classroom. Love’s vision of Black joy as a radical act reshapes the purpose of education, making it a tool for collective healing and transformation.
The Author’s Vision for Educational Transformation
Bettina Love envisions a transformative education system that moves beyond survival, advocating for abolitionist teaching, freedom dreaming, and empowerment of Black and Brown students through systemic change.
Bettina Love’s Lived Experiences and Research
Bettina Love’s work is deeply rooted in her lived experiences as a Black educator and researcher. She combines personal narratives with empirical research to critique systemic oppression in education. Love’s approach emphasizes the need to dismantle structures that marginalize Black and Brown students, advocating for transformative change. Her research highlights the importance of centering student voices and fostering joy as a form of resistance. By blending personal and academic insights, Love offers a powerful framework for educators to move beyond survival and toward liberation. Her vision for education is one that empowers students to thrive, challenging racial violence and oppression through radical, community-driven practices.
From Survival to Thriving: A Call for Systemic Change
Bettina Love’s call for systemic change in education emphasizes moving beyond mere survival for Black and Brown students. She argues for a transformative shift that prioritizes thriving over enduring oppression. Love’s work challenges educators to reimagine schools as spaces where students can flourish, free from racial violence and marginalization. By advocating for abolitionist teaching practices, she seeks to dismantle oppressive systems and create environments where Black joy and freedom are central. This vision requires radical restructuring of educational institutions, moving away from frameworks that perpetuate inequality. Love’s call to action urges educators to embrace systemic change, ensuring that all students can thrive and reach their full potential in a just and equitable educational system.
Empowering Black and Brown Students Through Education
Bettina Love emphasizes that education should be a tool for empowerment, not oppression. She argues that Black and Brown students must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to challenge racial violence and systemic inequality. Love advocates for an education that fosters agency and resilience, allowing students to thrive in a world that often marginalizes them. By centering Black joy and cultural identity, educators can create spaces where students feel seen and valued. This approach rejects the status quo of merely surviving within oppressive systems and instead demands transformative change. Love’s vision calls for education that liberates, empowering students to become agents of change in their communities and beyond. This requires a radical shift in how education is delivered and experienced.
Community Engagement and Activism in Education
Bettina Love highlights the importance of educators and students collaborating to challenge racial violence and oppression, fostering sustainable change through active community engagement and activism.
The Role of Educators in Fostering Social Change
Educators play a pivotal role in fostering social change by advocating for systemic transformation and empowering students to challenge racial violence and oppression. Bettina Love emphasizes that teachers must move beyond traditional pedagogical approaches and embrace activism within the classroom. By teaching students about racial justice and equipping them with tools for sustainable change, educators can help dismantle oppressive systems; Love argues that educators should collaborate with communities to create spaces where Black and Brown students can thrive. Her work underscores the importance of educators not only as teachers but also as activists who inspire and empower students to envision and fight for a more just future. This approach requires a commitment to radical change and a dedication to fostering equity and freedom in education. Through this lens, educators become catalysts for broader societal transformation.
Teaching Students to Challenge Racial Violence and Oppression
Bettina Love persuasively argues that educators must teach students about racial violence, oppression, and how to make sustainable change in their communities. She emphasizes the importance of empowering Black and Brown students to challenge systemic racism and injustice. Love advocates for an education that equips students with the tools to critically analyze and resist oppressive structures. By blending her lived experiences with empirical research, she provides a framework for educators to address these issues directly. This approach not only fosters awareness but also encourages students to become active agents of change. Love’s work underscores the necessity of teaching students to challenge racial violence and oppression, ensuring they are prepared to fight for justice and equity in their communities. This transformative approach to education is central to her vision of liberation and freedom. Love’s ideas are both a call to action and a roadmap for creating a more just society.
Building Sustainable Change in Communities
Bettina Love emphasizes the importance of building sustainable change in communities through education and activism. She argues that educators must work collaboratively with students, families, and community leaders to create long-lasting impacts. Love’s approach combines her lived experiences with empirical research to advocate for systemic change that goes beyond survival. She highlights the need for collective efforts to dismantle oppressive systems and promote equity and justice. By empowering students and communities, Love’s vision aims to create a future where education is a tool for liberation rather than oppression. This requires educators to move beyond traditional teaching methods and embrace a more radical, community-centered approach. Love’s work inspires educators to see themselves as agents of change, working alongside communities to build a more just and equitable society. Sustainable change, she argues, is only possible when education is deeply rooted in the needs and aspirations of the community.
Bettina Love’s book ignites a call for radical educational transformation, inspiring educators to move beyond survival and towards liberation, empowering students and communities to thrive.
The Book’s Contribution to Educational Discourse
Bettina Love’s We Want to Do More Than Survive significantly contributes to educational discourse by blending personal experiences with empirical research, advocating for abolitionist teaching. The book challenges traditional frameworks, offering a visionary approach that emphasizes Black joy, freedom dreaming, and systemic change. By addressing racial violence and oppression, Love provides educators with practical strategies to empower marginalized students. Her work bridges theory and practice, inspiring transformative action. The book’s unique perspective has resonated widely, influencing both educators and policymakers to rethink education’s role in liberation. Love’s call for radical change has become a pivotal text in discussions about equity, justice, and the future of education.
How Readers Can Apply the Book’s Ideas in Practice
Readers can apply Bettina Love’s ideas by integrating abolitionist teaching practices, such as challenging traditional methods and promoting equity. They can engage in freedom dreaming by visioning a just educational future with students. Centering Black joy involves celebrating diverse cultures and creating inclusive spaces. Reflecting on personal experiences and using research can inform teaching practices. Advocating for systemic change through policy work and collaboration is crucial. Educators can start with small steps like curriculum design and build towards broader transformations. Creating support networks, like book clubs, can facilitate sharing and growth. Ultimately, the book inspires educators to move from theory to action, fostering a more equitable educational environment through intentional and collective efforts.
