Why is this important for a writing center worker? I’m asking as someone who graduated with an English degree and frequented the Oklahoma State writing center. From Campus Reform:
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), lists “Previous anti-racist coursework or activism” as a preferred qualification to be hired as Writing Consultant at its Writing Center.Writing consultants’ primary duties include providing various educational assistance such as assisting with cover letters, publications, and grant writing.“For students committed to anti-racist action in your own professional practices and communities, the rigorous preparation will be a major benefit of this campus job,” the Writing Center website states.Far from being limited to this job application, “anti-racism” is a ubiquitous feature of all UMB’s Writing Center does and believes.The Writing Center states in their ‘About Us‘ section, for example, that they approach their work “with writers with an anti-racist lens.” They are not shy to mention that writing consultants must practice “language justice theory” and “challenge racializing language ideologies.”“We acknowledge the cultural and linguistic complexity and diversity of professional and academic work today,” the ‘About Us’ section reads.“In response, we see ourselves as collaborators across borders shaped by language, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, mobility, culture, citizenship and nationality, dis/ability, socio-economic status, class, and indigeneity,” the section continues.
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