UNM's Critical Race Theory Working Group hosts an Anti-Racism & Equity Teach-In, Candidates Forum and Service Project, Monday, Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the UNM School of Law and La Plazita Institute.

UNM School of Law room 2401
Who are we?
The Critical Race Theory Working Group is co-sponsored by Black Graduate & Professional Student Association, Community Learning & Public Service, Office for Equity & Inclusion, Out Queer Grads, Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color, Raza Graduate Student Association and Society of Native American Graduate Students.

This working group is for students, faculty, staff and community with both academic and personal interest in race-conscious analysis. We begin from a perspective that rejects colorblindness and liberal notions of individuality in favor of a perspective that asserts that race and color matter in this society and that our racial group affiliations also matter to how we see and interpret the world. The working group is co-facilitated by UNM Professor of Law Margaret Montoya and participating students, faculty and community.

What is the purpose of this event?
On Feb. 1, Albuquerque residents will vote for three new APS School Board members from districts 1, 2 and 4. The CRTWG has chosen to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by scheduling this event on his holiday to introduce students from different levels—high school students, undergraduates and law students —to Critical Race Theory by considering the effects of structural and institutional racism on public education in New Mexico.

Thus, there will be a Teach-In facilitated by UNM professors, APS staff and community describing how Critical Race Theory is relevant to public education, followed by discussions in small groups in which the participants—students, community members and educators—will develop questions to be put to the candidates for the school board.

In the afternoon, the candidates have been invited, and to date eight have accepted to come and address the gathering and respond to questions.

What is the format for the Teach-In?
Presenters will talk about Critical Race Theory in relation to public education in Albuquerque and New Mexico, then they would lead small group discussions with students and community folks with the goal of coming up with two or three questions for the candidates' forum.

Confirmed facilitators for the Teach-In:
- Dr. Tiffany Lee, UNM Native American Studies
- Dr. Jamal Martin, UNM Health Sciences Center
- Margaret Montoya, UNM School of Law and HSC
- Dr. Belinda Wallace, UNM Office of Equity and Inclusion
- Judy Wellington, La Mesa Presbyterian Church

Invited facilitators for the Teach-In:
- Dr. Ricky Lee Allen, UNM Language, Literacy & Sociocultural Studies
- Dr. Charles Becknell, UNM Africana Studies/LLSS
- Dr. Teresa Cordova, UNM Community & Regional Planning
- Greg Hansen, APS
- Vynesha Johnson, APS, Montezuma Elementary School
- Dr. Lloyd Lee, NAS
- Dr. Nancy Lopez, UNM Sociology
- Dr. Glenabah Martinez, LLSS

What activities will participants be doing for the service project?
Community Learning & Public Service is organizing a variety of activities for students and community members at La Plazita Institute.

The event is also co-sponsored by BGPSA, Community Learning & Public Service, El Centro de la Raza, ENLACE, UNM LGBTQ Resource Center, Office for Equity & Inclusion, Out Queer Grads, PNMGC, RGSA, SNAGS and UNM Service Corps.

For more information, visit diverse.unm.edu or contact Christopher Ramírez at the UNM Office for Equity & Inclusion.