Future Vision, Present Work: Learning from the Culturally Relevant Anti-Bias Leadership Project by et al., Sharon Cronin

by Louise Derman-Sparks

For the last forty years, studies and publications have demonstrated the growing evidence of the effect of racism, classism, sexism, and other oppressions on young childrens learning processes and their development of strong self- and cultural identities. But how can a childcare program use an anti-bias approach today, when many of the issues involved are so complex? What happens when there is resistance to change and moving toward more equitable programs for children and families? Future Vision, Present Learning from the Culturally Relevant Anti-Bias Leadership Project answers these questions and more. Through a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, the Anti-Bias Leadership Project was based on leadership groups that performed cross-cultural advocacy work in Seattle, New Orleans, and Minneapolis/Saint Paul over three years. Representing some of the most important voices addressing diversity issues in early childcare, the authors share the principles, purposes, and strategies of each group they led, as well as the wisdom they gained from their own perspectives during the project. The result is a powerful model for fostering unity in diversity, and an important resource for addressing anti-bias and cultural relevancy issues for todays early childhood programs.

Paperback

First published September 1, 1998