Last year, during the holidays, I blew up (yelling, cursing, and storming off), and the experience highlighted for me the need to embrace criticisms that I’m “too sensitive,” “too critical,” and “too complaining.” On the day I blew up, I was so overwhelmed, disconnected, and worn down by systemic oppression that my body couldn’t take it. I held myself together until I couldn’t hold it in anymore: then, I released a tidal wave of rage. I’m still processing, but I’m ... Read more ...
whiteness
3 Reasons to Participate in the 40-Day Practice on Strengthening Emotional Literacies to Counter White Fragility
Starting on November 22nd and running for the final 40 days of 2019, I’m offering the “40-Day Practice: Strengthening Emotional Literacies to Counter White Fragility.” Every time I offer this practice (this will be my third and second online), I get a lot of questions, including what this work involves, why it asks for a commitment of 40 days, and why it focuses on emotions. Though I hope the course description answers many of these questions—and I’m happy to answer ... Read more ...
From Fear to Love: Working with Emotional Overload
Emotional Overload Is Rooted in Fear Last week I said goodbye to the phone I’d had for more than 3 years, a phone I was attached to more than I’d like to admit. I entered a state of complete overwhelm, spiraling between questions and frustrations, between crying and raging: How could I possibly learn a new phone? Why aren’t there any small phones? How will one of the new—BIG—phones fit in my pocket? It’s not fair that all the phones are large, while women’s pants ... Read more ...
Responding to White Supremacist Terror, This Time in El Paso
I woke this morning in Ireland to news of the El Paso shooting: the latest act of white supremacist terror in the United States. My body was already aching (today’s a rest day after some seriously long walks), but the news ramped up the ache and lodged itself in my chest. I recognized the familiar heartache that comes with shootings and acts of violence, particularly against Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)—in this case, against Latinx folks in Texas. Along ... Read more ...
Lessons from a Poinsettia: Growing Resilience in 40 Days and Beyond
This poinsettia is amazing me—still blooming in these last days of February and reminding me that resilience (emotional elasticity, stamina, and strength) is something we don't often recognize until it’s already present and in place. When I googled how long poinsettias bloom, I was (and wasn’t) surprised to see that 40 days are a common period. The information not only confirms this poinsettia’s resilience (blooming for 3+ months), but it also feels like the ... Read more ...
Learning from and Healing Scars, Both Personal and Collective
Over the past year, my body has experienced a few physical injuries, including a concussion from falling last January and a cut from stepping on a broken bowl back in August. The fall left both knees badly scraped and bruised so that scars are still visible on the surface. The puncture in my foot has involved months of getting ceramic out—piece by piece—and an MRI now confirms that “only scar tissue remains.” That scar tissue isn’t visible like the scars on my knees, ... Read more ...
Why I Don’t Believe the #CovingtonCatholic Student’s Statement
I woke up today (the day after MLK Day in the U.S.) to a Facebook friend who presents as a white woman asking if I’d seen the #CovingtonCatholic student’s statement because she’s not sure what to believe. Later in the day, a white family member also sent me the statement, presumably to vindicate the white students. These messages come in response to me speaking out over the past few days about the incident, asking for white folks to break patterns of niceness and to ... Read more ...
My New Year’s Resolution = Self-Love for Countering White Fragility
The days leading up to this new year have been bumpy for me, pushing me to recommit to radical self-love. I’ve had some really tough conversations with family around everyday injustice, and these conversations have reminded me why we need a deep well of emotional literacies for confronting complicity. In the midst of one of these tough conversations—in which I was speaking aloud my embodied responses to white supremacy—I shared that my heart was throbbing, and I ... Read more ...
Hurting and Hollering in the Wake of This Week’s Violence
Bombs sent, guns shot. And I cry. Histories hidden, truths buried. And I ache. Hateful laws, escalating harms. And I mourn. White terrorism, everyday violence. And I rage. Black folks targeted. Jewish folks targeted. Native folks targeted. Latinx folks targeted. Migrant folks targeted. Trans folks targeted. Femme folks targeted. Marginalized folks targeted. Targeted, passive voice. Failing to name the assailants. Failing to name white supremacist, ... Read more ...
Beyond Self-Care: How Hiking Invites Self-Work
Time outdoors and along hiking trails is especially important time to me. As I’ve written previously, it’s time to consider the steps involved in making change, including learning to tread alternative paths. It’s time to slow down, notice beauty, and appreciate life, even in the roughest of conditions. It’s also time to do important intrapersonal work toward disrupting biases and internalized inferiority + superiority. It’s possible to consider activities like hiking ... Read more ...
![The online writing group starts this Friday, and there are still a few spots open.
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See link in bio to learn more and register.
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[This image shows a cup of coffee and red flowers alongside a blank sheet of paper and ink pen. It also includes event information: “5 Spots Open! Online Writing Groups. Friday mornings Jan. 31—Feb. 28, 10am EST | 9am CST | 8am MST | 7am PST. Come Write Together: Heart-Head-Hands.com.”]
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#WritingCommunity #WritingGroup #OnlineWritingGroup #writers #writersofinstagram #writerslife #writerscommunity #writersblock #instawritersgroup #academiclife #academicwriting #blogging #grantwriting #dissertation #writingsupport #journaling #drafting #revising #recommitting #publishing #techwriting #supportforwriters #writingsupport #writerssupportingwriters](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/82891878_1396704527156823_5636243404575326129_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=103&_nc_ohc=CxExKx4fvYIAX9oZ9bi&oh=50668fd21639e6355b1ac60049445e32&oe=5EB6F378 "The online writing group starts this Friday, and there are still a few spots open.
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See link in bio to learn more and register.
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[This image shows a cup of coffee and red flowers alongside a blank sheet of paper and ink pen. It also includes event information: “5 Spots Open! Online Writing Groups. Friday mornings Jan. 31—Feb. 28, 10am EST | 9am CST | 8am MST | 7am PST. Come Write Together: Heart-Head-Hands.com.”]
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#WritingCommunity #WritingGroup #OnlineWritingGroup #writers #writersofinstagram #writerslife #writerscommunity #writersblock #instawritersgroup #academiclife #academicwriting #blogging #grantwriting #dissertation #writingsupport #journaling #drafting #revising #recommitting #publishing #techwriting #supportforwriters #writingsupport #writerssupportingwriters")
![Food and writing. Writing and food.
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These are my themes for January with the new webinar (on relationships with food) and writing group (Friday mornings) both happening this week.
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Register for one or both: links in bio.
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[This image taken at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco shows a print journal alongside matcha and mochi (sweet and caffeinated treats): a representation of writing and food.]
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#food #writing #writingcommunity #writers #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife #blogger #foodblogger #veganblogger #vegan #mindfuleating #foodasmedicine #healing #webinar #writinggroup #writinggroups #conversation #talkaboutfood #relationshipwithfood #journal #journaling #drafting #revising #recommitting #publishing #ongoingeducation](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c3.0.1434.1434a/s640x640/81439807_458531971720100_2874986313181887003_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=eOtIrvy_qHMAX8Ji1m3&oh=814b79183c67219d3980e7ca1d10697a&oe=5ED261B7 "Food and writing. Writing and food.
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These are my themes for January with the new webinar (on relationships with food) and writing group (Friday mornings) both happening this week.
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Register for one or both: links in bio.
.
.
[This image taken at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco shows a print journal alongside matcha and mochi (sweet and caffeinated treats): a representation of writing and food.]
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#food #writing #writingcommunity #writers #writersofinstagram #writer #writerslife #blogger #foodblogger #veganblogger #vegan #mindfuleating #foodasmedicine #healing #webinar #writinggroup #writinggroups #conversation #talkaboutfood #relationshipwithfood #journal #journaling #drafting #revising #recommitting #publishing #ongoingeducation")
![Thanks to @FSUEnglish for the invitation to share “Not Just a ‘Plan B’: Exploring Alt-Ac, Non-Ac, and Post-Ac Careers” today. I’m excited for today’s conversation about commitment-driven career discernment.
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[Image Description: This flyer for today’s workshop shares the title, a bio and photo of me/Beth, and event information, including: “Spring 2020 English Department Placement Workshop: After outlining her own trajectory through and beyond academia, and discussing possible alternative career paths, Beth will lead us through a series of short reflections before taking questions from the room. Beth brings to this conversation many experiences and has fulfilled many roles beyond higher education, including K-12 instruction, community-based learning, and non-profit work.”]
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Learn more about my work on aligning career with commitments via link in bio. <3
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#HigherEd #CareerDiscernment #Coaching #Support #GradLife #ProfLife #withaphd #gradschoolproblems @gradstudentselfcare @beyondtheprof #gradschool #gradschoollife #altac #tenuretrack #tenured #tenuretrackgrind #teachersofinstagram #faculty #facultylife #workshop #gradstudents #highereducation #higheredjobs #careergoals #careerchange #careeropportunities #commitment #whatsnext🤔 #whatsnext #fridaymotivation](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.44.1440.1440a/s640x640/81720434_155061649263146_4272814565202230046_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=102&_nc_ohc=5VP5Wu_VK8gAX9PJiTr&oh=1b093bd21b351c6d4287c41667b8a8a9&oe=5EB9FB29 "Thanks to @FSUEnglish for the invitation to share “Not Just a ‘Plan B’: Exploring Alt-Ac, Non-Ac, and Post-Ac Careers” today. I’m excited for today’s conversation about commitment-driven career discernment.
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[Image Description: This flyer for today’s workshop shares the title, a bio and photo of me/Beth, and event information, including: “Spring 2020 English Department Placement Workshop: After outlining her own trajectory through and beyond academia, and discussing possible alternative career paths, Beth will lead us through a series of short reflections before taking questions from the room. Beth brings to this conversation many experiences and has fulfilled many roles beyond higher education, including K-12 instruction, community-based learning, and non-profit work.”]
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Learn more about my work on aligning career with commitments via link in bio. <3
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#HigherEd #CareerDiscernment #Coaching #Support #GradLife #ProfLife #withaphd #gradschoolproblems @gradstudentselfcare @beyondtheprof #gradschool #gradschoollife #altac #tenuretrack #tenured #tenuretrackgrind #teachersofinstagram #faculty #facultylife #workshop #gradstudents #highereducation #higheredjobs #careergoals #careerchange #careeropportunities #commitment #whatsnext🤔 #whatsnext #fridaymotivation")
![I’ve been listening to requests to host writing groups, and here’s a first offering—an online writing group to meet Friday mornings, January 31st through February 28th.
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To learn more, see link in bio.
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[This image shows writing tools (phone, keyboard, journal, pencil, and pen) along with the event information: “Online Writing Groups. Friday mornings Jan. 31—Feb. 28, 10am EST | 9am CST | 8am MST | 7am PST. Come Write Together: Heart-Head-Hands.com.”]
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#WritingCommunity #WritingGroup #OnlineWritingGroup #writers #writersofinstagram #writerslife #writerscommunity #writersblock #instawritersgroup #academiclife #academicwriting #blogging #grantwriting #dissertation #writingsupport @iwca_writingcenters @uwmadisonwritingcenter @writing_inspiration @awpwriter #fridaymotivation #fridaymorning](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/81661580_214516276238860_6826750115944246944_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=104&_nc_ohc=zifcYDxiCGkAX9gaFP7&oh=34ebce0d85af4598609da7895c06c21e&oe=5EC9F4E2 "I’ve been listening to requests to host writing groups, and here’s a first offering—an online writing group to meet Friday mornings, January 31st through February 28th.
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To learn more, see link in bio.
.
[This image shows writing tools (phone, keyboard, journal, pencil, and pen) along with the event information: “Online Writing Groups. Friday mornings Jan. 31—Feb. 28, 10am EST | 9am CST | 8am MST | 7am PST. Come Write Together: Heart-Head-Hands.com.”]
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#WritingCommunity #WritingGroup #OnlineWritingGroup #writers #writersofinstagram #writerslife #writerscommunity #writersblock #instawritersgroup #academiclife #academicwriting #blogging #grantwriting #dissertation #writingsupport @iwca_writingcenters @uwmadisonwritingcenter @writing_inspiration @awpwriter #fridaymotivation #fridaymorning")
![Friends in the Midwest:
I’ll be keynoting the MnWE (Minnesota Writing and English) Conference in March, and I’d love to see you at the conference. Proposals are due January 26th, so there’s still time to submit.
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Here’s information about my talk -- link in bio -- and I’ll be facilitating an interactive workshop with Jasmine Kar Tang, too!
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About the keynote:
This interactive presentation engages the dialectic of critique against and critique for: both problematizing “civic engagement” and pointing toward literacy education aligned with justice (social, racial, and environmental justice).
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Together, we’ll consider where investment in civic engagement comes from, particularly at a time when civic participation, civil discourse, and related constructs of citizenship and national borders provide justifications for excluding and dehumanizing people. Power functions in these discourses, people are marginalized and written off, and unintentional acts still do harm, as research on microaggressions show.
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How, then, do we interrupt these injustices? What learning and unlearning is needed now—not only in the context of “21st century literacies” but also within white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, settler colonialism, and interlocking oppressions?
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[This image shows a photo of Beth Godbee on the left and text on the right: “MNWECONFERENCE.COM – Keynotes and Plenaries – Breaking Civil Discourse: Cultivating Productive and Receptive Literacies for Responsible (Response-Able) Engagement.”] .
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#MnWE #Conference #Keynote #Presentation #CFP #Speaking #Facilitating #LiteracyEducation #SocialJusticeEducation #AntiOppression #Writing #English #WritingCenters #RhetComp @iwca_writingcenters @nctegram @uwmadisonwritingcenter @rhetcompdaily #writingcommunity #writingstudies #highered #highereducation #21stcenturyliteracies #committedtojustice #critique #action #teaching #pedagogy #writingteacher #wednesdaymotivation](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/c81.0.176.176a/80791550_479728156064920_9207582473884025899_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=104&_nc_ohc=7si-atJMBPIAX-XfCKB&oh=150ee3c0e514ddb241e0bf8f9269a2ff&oe=5ECFFA75 "Friends in the Midwest:
I’ll be keynoting the MnWE (Minnesota Writing and English) Conference in March, and I’d love to see you at the conference. Proposals are due January 26th, so there’s still time to submit.
.
Here’s information about my talk -- link in bio -- and I’ll be facilitating an interactive workshop with Jasmine Kar Tang, too!
.
About the keynote:
This interactive presentation engages the dialectic of critique against and critique for: both problematizing “civic engagement” and pointing toward literacy education aligned with justice (social, racial, and environmental justice).
.
Together, we’ll consider where investment in civic engagement comes from, particularly at a time when civic participation, civil discourse, and related constructs of citizenship and national borders provide justifications for excluding and dehumanizing people. Power functions in these discourses, people are marginalized and written off, and unintentional acts still do harm, as research on microaggressions show.
.
How, then, do we interrupt these injustices? What learning and unlearning is needed now—not only in the context of “21st century literacies” but also within white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, settler colonialism, and interlocking oppressions?
.
.
[This image shows a photo of Beth Godbee on the left and text on the right: “MNWECONFERENCE.COM – Keynotes and Plenaries – Breaking Civil Discourse: Cultivating Productive and Receptive Literacies for Responsible (Response-Able) Engagement.”] .
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#MnWE #Conference #Keynote #Presentation #CFP #Speaking #Facilitating #LiteracyEducation #SocialJusticeEducation #AntiOppression #Writing #English #WritingCenters #RhetComp @iwca_writingcenters @nctegram @uwmadisonwritingcenter @rhetcompdaily #writingcommunity #writingstudies #highered #highereducation #21stcenturyliteracies #committedtojustice #critique #action #teaching #pedagogy #writingteacher #wednesdaymotivation")
