The Cultural Proficiency Manifesto
Finding Clarity Amidst the Noise
- Randall B. Lindsey - California State University Los Angeles, USA
Foreword by Stephanie Graham Rivas
October 2017 | 120 pages | Corwin
A call-to-arms for educators in tumultuous times
In times of social disruption and uncertainty, we must return to our core values and remember why we entered education in the first place: to make a difference in the lives of all children. Cultural Proficiency can provide us with essential tools for acting on the promise of American public schooling.
The Cultural Proficiency Manifesto places today’s political divisiveness in the context of greater historical change and provides a roadmap to interrupting the cycle of hostility towards marginalized groups. Readers will find:
• Esteemed author Randall Lindsey’s latest thinking on Cultural Proficiency
• A deliberately brief format that unpacks the Cultural Proficiency Framework and offers practical guidance
• Tools and guiding principles to help educators move their school community toward inclusivity
• Prompts for individual reflection and team dialogue
Now more than ever, our students need educators to uphold our commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion for all.
"Lindsey's manifesto is a call to action for educators to ensure we are creating culturally responsive environments to support all learners. It teaches us how to authentically engage in the work of educating our wonderfully diverse population."
—Julie A. Vitale, Superintendent
Romoland School District, CA
“This manifesto is indeed timely and essential. Dr. Lindsey's vast experience as an expert and leader in cultural proficiency reminds us that now is the time to acknowledge and address the vast number of diversity, equity, and social justice issues at hand."
—Kenneth R. Magdaleno, Executive Director
Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research
In times of social disruption and uncertainty, we must return to our core values and remember why we entered education in the first place: to make a difference in the lives of all children. Cultural Proficiency can provide us with essential tools for acting on the promise of American public schooling.
The Cultural Proficiency Manifesto places today’s political divisiveness in the context of greater historical change and provides a roadmap to interrupting the cycle of hostility towards marginalized groups. Readers will find:
• Esteemed author Randall Lindsey’s latest thinking on Cultural Proficiency
• A deliberately brief format that unpacks the Cultural Proficiency Framework and offers practical guidance
• Tools and guiding principles to help educators move their school community toward inclusivity
• Prompts for individual reflection and team dialogue
Now more than ever, our students need educators to uphold our commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion for all.
—Julie A. Vitale, Superintendent
Romoland School District, CA
“This manifesto is indeed timely and essential. Dr. Lindsey's vast experience as an expert and leader in cultural proficiency reminds us that now is the time to acknowledge and address the vast number of diversity, equity, and social justice issues at hand."
—Kenneth R. Magdaleno, Executive Director
Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research
Foreword
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
PART I: THE NOISE: A VICIOUS CYCLE
Chapter 1: Purpose of This Manifesto
Chapter 2: A Brief History of Inequity and Equity: A Tsunami Warning
Chapter 3: History and Hope for Changing Schools
PART II: LISTENING FOR CLARITY
Chapter 4: The Cultural Proficiency Framework
Chapter 5: Resistance to Change: The Anger–Guilt Continuum
Chapter 6: Going Forward Takes Commitment and Effort: It Always Has
Chapter 7: My Final Thoughts and, Then, Your Turn
References
Resources
Index
"This 'manifesto' is indeed timely and essential. Dr. Lindsey's vast experience as an expert and leader in the field of cultural proficiency reminds us that "now is the time" to acknowledge and address the vast number of diversity, equity, and social justice issues at hand. His hope is my hope... his clarity is all our clarity."
Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research (CLEAR)