The Public Sphere | Page 3 of 7 | A space for ideas and discussion

How To Series: Land Use Consulting

~Helen Eloyan

I have had the privilege of working with developers, owners, and other visionaries to help accomplish projects, and ultimately community goals, through my work as a private sector land use planner. Albeit it is a “behind the scenes” role, but it provides a chance to help develop future community landmarks (+ bragging rights for cool projects). Since starting my career, I have been to some of the most beautiful, random, and unique places in our community and California. I have also had the opportunity to serve various industries, like agriculture/farmworker housing, renewable energy, mining, various commercial operations, and future innovative clean technologies.

The path to success, throughout each project, has shown to be meaningful collaboration and effective execution. Meaningful collaboration is early outreach to stakeholders and coordination with appropriate departments on the local, state, and federal levels; community/advocacy groups; and government leaders on behalf of the client to find well-rounded and informed solutions. Effective execution is simply producing high-quality work efficiently– attention to detail and persistence are critical character traits to have or develop. Clients heavily rely on land use consultants for guidance, expertise, and ideas for new projects and communities. I highly recommend taking an environmental policy course to understand the dynamics of government agencies and the California Environmental Quality Act– this is usually the most daunting part of a project for clients.

Another important aspect of my work is that it requires a lot of problem-solving, technical reading, interpreting legislation/zoning codes, and describing engineered plans in a way that a layperson may understand. The best advice given to me has been to write simply (not simple mindedly), only speak on what you know for certain, and no matter how daunting or stressful a situation is, focusing on doing good work will get you through.

Starting Out

I first entered the private sector after graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Resource Management. I did not have any relevant experience outside of my capstone and was working full-time as a loss prevention detective. I had applied to at least 90 jobs before I got hired at a local consulting firm. The position was not exactly what I envisioned, but it turned out to be a great steppingstone.

After a year working, I applied for a job that I was very unqualified for, only because I had read a Business Insider article the day before. The article described how women are less likely to apply for a job if they do not meet most, if not all, of the job criteria whereas men just applied even if they are totally unqualified. This specific job posting called for 12 years, and I only had one year. Apparently, the loss prevention experience was interesting enough to snag an interview, and I was found to be a good fit. My recommendation, regardless of where you find yourself, is to always put your best (and most authentic) foot forward, no matter how uncertain you think that step is.

If anyone is interested in working in the private sector or land use planning field, please feel free to reach out or add me on LinkedIn.

How To Series: City Planning

~Joel Hayes, MPPA

Understanding City Planning

City planning, also known as urban planning, works to shape the design and functions of the environment and the social and economic activity that take place in a given area. According to the American Planning Association, the goal of planning is to “maximize the health, safety, and economic well-being of all people living in our communities” (APA, 2021). Planners at the city or county level will typically work cohesively with other departments, such as building, engineering and public works on projects and development. A planning development project typically goes through a process that can include a review of parking, landscaping, and architectural features to ensure appropriate design and land use zoning. Thereafter, building permits are often granted to allow construction to begin.

Planners use tools, such as zoning maps, to determine where, when, and what should be developed. These decisions are mostly based on comprehensive or general plans that are created through a long process, typically including public input, and are voted on by a city council or county board of supervisors. This process is often a guiding factor in determining the zoning and development that takes place in certain areas. City planners share some administrative authority. However, they rely on approved ordinances and guidelines set forth by a city council or board of supervisors who hold the greater decisional power when it comes to approving specific decisions, such as special use permits or zoning changes. These decisions may receive public commentary and are held in public view, to allow for feedback by citizens and stakeholders, and to help guide the city council or planning and zoning commissions in their decision making. Planning is often a social job, and if you ever want to buy an undeveloped parcel of land to build a home or to make modifications to a structure, you will often speak to a planner in that jurisdiction. There are multiple types of planning, including transportation, development, and neighborhood planning, to name a few.

Getting Into Planning

My entrance into planning came at a later point in my career, after beginning my career working in the nonprofit and administrative world as a program associate and an assistant to a CEO. In the beginning of my journey to my planning career, I was worried that my previous experiences would not translate or help me with employment in planning. Those initial inclinations were false, as some of the skills and projects I managed from grant writing to achieving USDA organic certification and becoming familiar with environmental policies and agriculture have helped me in my journey. I encourage those who may not have majored in planning or architecture to not feel like you don’t have a chance to get into a planning career. One thing I learned very early on as an intern at the County of Ventura’s planning division was how many people did not have planning backgrounds– many transitioned from other careers in the nonprofit or public administrative realms. Following my internship, I was able to land a job as a development review planner for the City of Rowlett, Texas where I work on reviewing development applications that include special use permits, rezonings, sign permits, and more. I also work on long-range planning documents, which includes updates to ordinances and historic preservation. I frequently present to the planning and zoning commission on projects, and I work daily with citizens to assist with planning-related inquiries.

Helpful Courses and Resources

For anyone interested in a planning career, in California specifically, I’d encourage you to review and become acquainted with the California Environmental Quality Act.

Two great government job posting sites that include planning jobs and internships are GovernmentJobs and CalOpps.

The American Planning Association has a job posting board for planning jobs and internships. Local chapters are a great tool to connect with planners and attend social networking events.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on a federal level assists in providing expanded funding, research, and grants for housing, environmental projects and more.

Recommendations

It may be helpful to get connected with planners on LinkedIn to learn how they began their careers and seek their advice. I was able to form great connections through LinkedIn and had planners review my resume and make suggestions based on their experience. Local cities and counties often have internships that may not be posted; sometimes, if you inquire about interning, you may be granted an internship and gain experience. The County of Ventura has a paid internship program and spans over many county departments. Reviewing a city or county’s planning division website can be beneficial in learning about local codes, general plans, and may assist you later on by showing an employer your passion and dedication. Furthermore, if you are interested in planning, and if you have any questions, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Wishing everyone the best in their public administration careers.

Spring 2021 Capstone: Whittier Police Department

~Nicolai Andersen, Rachel Medina, Hannah Ontiveros, K’Yanna Wesley, Julie Zendejas

Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Gonzalez, Jr.

Our capstone group evaluated the potential benefits of implementing restorative nap policies for the Whittier Police Department in Los Angeles County. Through our research, we conducted a literature review of the prevalence of sleep disorders in law enforcement, the impacts of napping, and how sleep relates to mental health among police officers. We administered a survey to police and fire departments with similar policies in place and analyzed their responses in order to develop recommendations for the Whittier Police Department.

We found this to be an interesting topic, as police work comprises one of the largest groups of shift workers in the U.S. Police performance has also been under increased scrutiny in recent years due to increased media attention and adverse publicity. Innovations in communications and information technology have made it easier than ever to detect and report instances of police brutality through cell phone video-recording and social media sharing. Movements such as Black Lives Matter have also helped bring increased scrutiny on inadequate police performance in recent years. When researching existing data on sleep disorders in America’s police forces, we found as many as 40% of officers identified as having at least one sleep disorder. The 2011 Harvard Work Hours and Safety Group Police Study found one-third of North American police officers screening positive for obstructive sleep apnea (Rajaratnam, 2011). This is 44% higher than the general population (Conn, 2018).

This study accompanied by other existing data from our literature review found officers with sleep disorders to be more likely to report negative safety events, such as falling asleep while driving or poorer work performance. In the Harvard study, more than one in four officers also reported having fallen asleep while driving at least once a month. Exhibiting uncontrollable anger towards suspects was also reported as more likely among officers with sleep disorders (Kitaeff, 2019).

To investigate whether restorative naps had any benefits for police officers and public safety, we were able to recruit four public safety agencies with existing restorative nap programs to participate in a survey. Results showed that sleep-deprived officers were more likely to fall asleep while driving, had a higher incidence of citizen complaints, and were more prone to making administrative and/or safety errors. Survey participants also noted a variety of benefits since the implementation of restorative nap policies. Reno Police Department noted that their policies had led to better attitudes, sharper focus, and increased problem-solving capabilities, along with increased safety, happier employees, and a decline in chronic sleep problems. Overall, across all survey participants, we found all agencies positively accepting their restorative nap programs. Since the implementation of these pioneering policies in the Henderson Police Department, Hampton Police Department, and Reno Police Department, a number of positive effects have been reported, including increased public safety and improved work performance.

With many police officers resting during their short lunch breaks or at inappropriate times, often considered misconduct, developing a program with a formal policy for napping would not only benefit public safety but also officer’s overall well-being, health, and work performance. Therefore, based on the existing data and our survey results, it was our recommendation that the Whittier Police Department would be wise in implementing a similar program.

References

Conn, Stephanie M. (2018). Increasing Resilience in Police and

Emergency Personnel: Strengthening Your Mental Armor.

Routledge. ISBN 9781317193753.

Kitaeff, Jack (2019). Handbook of Police Psychology. Routledge. p. 551.

ISBN 9780429554667.

Rajaratnam, S.W., Brager, L.K., Lockley, S.W., Shea, S.A., Wang, W.,

Landrigan, C.P. & Czeisler, C.A. (2011). Sleep disorders, health and

safety in police officers. Journal of the American Medical

Association, 306, pp. 2567-2578.

How To Series: Working in Civil Society

~Patricia Palao Da Costa

Understanding Civil Society

Civil Society, or the Third Sector, distinguishes itself from the Public and Private Sectors in many ways. It is composed of organizations that are mission driven and (often) tax exempt, depending on the country in which it is located. Many refer to these organizations as nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and community groups. Notable organizations include the United Nations (UN), American Red Cross, and the Goodwill. It might surprise readers to hear that some of these nonprofits are in fact profitable entities, and often use these funds to expand their reach and impact in their targeted populations.

Aside from their taxation code and their focus, these nonprofit organizations also have a unique internal organization and hierarchy. Unlike private corporations where a CEO has the final say on decisions, nonprofits have a board(s) of directors that elect and hire their CEO, and they have the final say on many internal decisions. The CEO handles the day-to-day goals and operations. Another significant difference is the roles of employees in nonprofits. Though many private and public organizations hire specific people to do certain tasks, tasks in nonprofits may be outsourced, divided among a few employees in different programs, or handled by the CEO themselves, depending on the size and budget of the organization. The “services” that these organizations deliver are often very different within the sector. Charities, or foundations, offer grants or financial assistance to other organizations or specific populations, while other community organizations will focus on one service (i.e., food banks offer free meals, health clinics offer free or low-cost health services, shelters offer room and board to the homeless, etc.). Other differences exist, but these are the main ones that someone should know before entering the sector.

Entering the Nonprofit World: Positions I’ve Held

After completing, and enjoying, a nonprofits introductory course as an undergraduate, I reached out to a friend for a reference to apply to the foundation they worked for. As soon as I got my foot in the door, later employment opportunities were easier to obtain because of my previous experience. Aside from sharing my social and policy interests, the positions I’ve held also serve to show the wide array of roles and organizations in the sector:

Fundraiser, Latter-Day Saint Philanthropies

In this faith-based organization, I solicited donations for collegiate scholarships, university program funding, and international relief projects.

Special Projects Intern, United Way of Utah County, Help Me Grow Utah

In this chapter-based, international organization, I created a resource database for employees to share research-based developmental information to parents in Utah.

Parent Support Specialist, United Way of Utah County, Help Me Grow Utah

In this capacity, I offered and scored developmental surveys to parents for children aged 0 to 5 and connected families to basic needs and developmental resources in the state.

Open House Coordinator, United Way of Utah County, Sub for Santa

I trained community volunteers to assist families in applying for Christmas assistance and organized community open houses where families could complete their applications.

EveryDay Strong Liaison, United Way of Utah County, EveryDay Strong

I helped design, plan, and implement an adolescent mental health initiative to guide families through mental health distress, uncertainties, and crises in their adolescents.

Education Coordinator, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley

In this chapter-based, international organization, I created after-school programs for children aged 6 to 18, along with a system of homework assistance and completion.

Program Director, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley

I trained and supervised program employees and designed and implemented developmentally-enriching programs and activities for children aged 5 to 13.

Operations Administrator, Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties

In this chapter-based, international organization, I run and send reports for the board of directors, CEO, and Director of Operations, as well as document weekly financials.

Helpful Courses & Useful Resources

Courses

Nonprofit Management
Civic Engagement
Public Budgeting
Leadership
Program Management & Evaluation

Resources

Recommendations For Anyone Interested

Get connected! Most, if not all, nonprofits are very selective about who they hire because of their limited budget and time with training, preferring individuals who have nonprofit experience. If you don’t have prior experience, it will always pay off to get an “in” from a previous or current employee who can act as a character and/or professional reference. Find ways to show your connection to the organization from the beginning.

Be comfortable wearing multiple hats! If you are adaptable, appreciate change, and enjoy learning new skills, this is a great field for you.

Do your research! Missions are not just pithy statements that organizations create. Many application and interview questions center around your connection to a nonprofit’s mission and how your interests and knowledge align with it. If you’ve found a mission that you don’t mind getting paid less to do, you’ve found the right organization for you.

If you are interested in this sector, and you have any questions or need a connection to an organization, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!

Upcoming Event: ASPA BookTalk Webinar

Join your MPPA community on June 29th, 7 – 8 a.m. PST, by registering for the next BookTalk panel webinar on Corruption in the Public Sector: An International Perspective, the highly relevant book by Dr. Krishna Tummala. As a preview, ASPA reports that the panel’s participants will be:

Providing a broad overview on public sector corruption, including local and national perspectives, this edited collection examines case studies from across the globe, from Hong Kong to India, from South Africa to Brazil. The contributions also cover themes that are not studied often, including corruption in government procurement, the nascent issue of the “right to privacy” stemming from e-governance and the proclivity of governments to hide behind Official Secrets Acts to withhold information—ostensibly guaranteed under the “right to information,” which is vital in the fight against corruption. Presenters will discuss insights from research and praxis, and help attendees understand the phenomenon of corruption and how it manifests itself in various ways in the public sector across the regions.

One of the panel presenters will be our own Program Director and Professor, Sabith Khan, the new Chair of ASPA’s South Asia Section! Others include Amanda M. Olejarski of West Chester University and the Public Integrity journal, Meghna Sabharwal from University of Texas at Dallas, Krishna K. Tummala of Kansas State University, and Pardhasaradhi Yarlagadda from Osmania University in India. We hope you can make it!

To register, visit the BookTalks Webinar Series here.

“America’s back, baby!”: Vaccine diplomacy can put America back on the global map

~Sabith Khan, PhD

Is America’s standing in the world getting better with President Biden at the helm? Initial data seems to suggest that this hasn’t yet happened. However, not all is lost. One of the ways that this can be accelerated is through vaccine diplomacy.

As a recent media report pointed out, the commitment by the US to give away about 500 million vaccines is a significant commitment towards a humanitarian crisis. It ought to be recognized for what it is – a gesture of goodwill and a commitment to addressing the largest humanitarian crisis that we as a human race have faced in our lifetimes.

us vaccine diplomacy — source: flickr.com/photos

While the US is still a hegemon of sorts, it is facing stiff competition from China and other global powers, as they jockey to dominate the globe with their money and resources. One of the resources that has emerged as a strong contender in COVID times is the humble vaccine.

India is still working through its second wave, which has killed hundreds of thousands – some estimate millions – of citizens. I have personally witnessed a few deaths in my own family and extended friends’ networks. This has to be the most devastating tragedy that Indians have faced collectively, perhaps since the partition of the country in 1947, when an estimated one million people were killed in the rioting that ensued.

Other parts of the world, including Latin America and Africa, are also still reeling from the effects of COVID-19 and the lack of vaccines and basic health infrastructure that are plaguing these societies. In addition to these circumstances, misinformation is rampant in many of these societies (including in the US), stopping people from getting vaccinated.

So, while “America is back” may be a good political slogan, translating that into implementable actions will be harder than one imagines.

The alternative – one in which the US sits on the sidelines and does nothing – is not an option. That was certainly the action taken by Mr. Trump, causing devastation not just within the US, with hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths, but also massive chaos and suffering around the world.

Delivering those millions of vaccines to countries that have dilapidated healthcare systems and steep nepotism and corruption, along with ensuring that millions get vaccinated is going to be a long and hard battle for all parties involved.

Housing Policy Shapes Our Communities

By Sean Veal, MPPA ‘13

Housing is fundamental to the development of our communities and our lives. Policies that shape the housing landscape have worked to the benefit, and to the detriment of communities across the country. On April 20^th, 2021, I had the opportunity to discuss the impact of housing policies on our communities as a guest lecturer for Dr. Khan’s course entitled “Understanding Development: Challenges and Opportunities.”

The discussion began with an explanation of a common affordability metric known as the housing cost burden measure. A cost-burdened household is one that spends over 30 percent of total household income on housing costs. For renters, housing costs include rent and utilities, and for homeowners, housing costs are comprised of the mortgage, private mortgage insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and property tax. The cost burden measure is imperative to understanding affordability challenges that renter and homeowner households endure.

Consequently, housing affordability disproportionately impacts renter households of color. According to the 2020 State of the Nation’s Housing Report produced by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Black and Hispanic renter households were cost-burdened at rates of 53.7 percent and 51.9 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, white renter households were cost-burdened at 41.9 percent. These rates illuminate the unequal result of housing affordability by race with renter households of color absorbing the lion’s share of cost burdens.

Housing policy is a tool that at times created affordability dilemmas that are ever-present for households and amplified for communities of color. Discrimination and inequitable housing policy historically perpetuated housing affordability in tight markets through formerly legal mechanisms such as redlining, restrictive housing covenants, steering, and exclusionary zoning as described by Richard Rothstein in his book The Color of Law. The de jure discrimination fostered by housing policy that Rothstein describes has contributed to the housing affordability challenges experienced today, particularly by households of color.

Despite previous housing policies that prevented equal access to housing, there are current policies that have mitigated a stark history of housing inequality through approaches that increase the affordable housing stock, require cities to allocate ample housing for population growth, and provide subsidies to low-income households. These policies are witnessed through programs sponsored by the federal, state, and local governments.

A federal tax program that has improved the affordable housing stock is the Low-Income Tax Credit that incentivizes private developers to build affordable housing for low-income households in exchange for future tax credits. This IRS tax program has been instrumental in improving the affordable housing stock in the nation.

At the state level, the California Housing Element Law and the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) mandate that localities plan for housing supplies that account for and anticipate future growth of their community based on demographic projections. These plans are periodically required to be produced by each city in California. Furthermore, the proposed housing elements and RHNA plan must be approved by the state. Engrained in urban planning, the state-enforced housing policy programs hold cities accountable to accommodate population growth and housing needs.

Lastly, an example of a local housing policy is bonds provided by a city to support developers subsidize affordable housing developments. Proposition HHH is a local example in which Los Angeles voters approved 1.2 billion dollars to finance permanent supportive housing developments to abate rising levels of those experiencing homelessness in the City of Los Angeles.

The high-level overview of housing affordability metrics, affordability challenges, and housing policy were all presented to students to illustrate the impact of housing policy on communities. The confluence of housing policies at the federal, state, and local level exemplifies how housing policy shapes housing in communities.

What is Environmental Justice?

~Jacqueline Phelps

Pursuant to state law, environmental justice means “the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” (California Government Code, 2019). Many of us understand why the consideration of environmental justice in decision-making processes is essential, and have experienced the inequities that have resulted in our communities when it is not. Maybe the community that you grew up in doesn’t have adequate access to open space, or maybe there are too many industrial facilities that have resulted in a heavy pollutant load. These are examples of how land-use decision-making has served to disproportionately assign environmental burdens and benefits throughout the communities that we are a part of.

Unfortunately, the environmental injustices that are embedded within our communities have been perpetuated by institutions over time, and we know that the quality of our lives and the lives of those that we care about are impacted. For example, numerous studies including by Nigra et. al (2020), have found that inequalities in exposure to drinking water contaminants throughout the United States stem from inequalities in the implementation of both land use policy and zoning decisions. Furthermore, disproportionate burdens often fall on lower-income and minority communities (Schaider, 2019).

Screening tools, such as CalEnviro Screen, have been developed in order to help with the identification of communities that have been overburdened by pollution. This tool is accessible to the public, and I encourage you to explore the data available for the communities that you are a part of: https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-30. In addition to identifying overburdened communities, it is critical to examine how environmental burdens fit into a larger policy framework. How does environmental policy intersect with housing policy, or economic development (Corburn, 2017)? Understanding this policy context and the associated decision-making processes are essential for creating more healthy communities and enhancing the accessibility to clean environmental resources.

As the effects of climate change continue to intensify, adverse environmental outcomes will continue to increase within overburdened communities. Not only will air pollution worsen but other adverse effects, such as reduced access to clean water, will be exacerbated (Rudolph, 2018). According to Rudolph (2018), “Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating poverty, environmental degradation, and political instability.” As such, it is critical to not only address the environmental issues that exist today but to also create proactive policies and plan for issues that may arise in order to avoid future adverse environmental outcomes.

In Environmental Policy and Planning- PA-5ST-01 we will examine the topic of environmental justice, as well as strategies that can be implemented in order to avoid perpetuating concentrated environmental burdens. Additionally, we will hear from local professionals with expertise in this area, and they will share their approach to initiating policy change in our local communities. Furthermore, we will examine environmental justice policies that are currently being implemented at the state level, as well as a variety of other important environmental topic areas. Please feel free to contact me at jphelps@callutheran.edu if you have any questions about this course. I look forward to seeing you in class!

References:

California Government Code, § 65040.12, (2019). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=65040.12

Corburn, J. (2017). Concepts for studying urban environmental justice. Current Environmental Health Reports, 4(1), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-017-0123-6

Nigra, A. E., Qixuan Chen, Chillrud, S. N., Lili Wang, Harvey, D., Mailloux, B., Factor-Litvak, P., & Navas-Acien, A. (2020). Inequalities in Public Water Arsenic Concentrations in Counties and Community Water Systems across the United States, 2006-2011. Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(12), 127001-1-127001–127013. https://doi-org.ezproxy.callutheran.edu/10.1289/EHP7313

Rudolph, L., Harrison, C., Buckley, L. & North, S. (2018). Climate Change, Health, and Equity: A Guide for Local Health Departments. Oakland, CA and Washington D.C., Public Health Institute and American Public Health Association.

Schaider, L. A., Swetschinski, L., Campbell, C., & Rudel, R. A. (2019). Environmental justice and drinking water quality: are there socioeconomic disparities in nitrate levels in U.S. drinking water? Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source, 18(1), 1–15. https://doi-org.ezproxy.callutheran.edu/10.1186/s12940-018-0442-6

Expanding Inclusive Curriculum Towards the LGBTQ+ Community in California Schools: How and Why Should Educators Do This?

~Erin Niemi

As the conversation surrounding inclusivity is discussed within the education sector, there has been consideration to address prominent heteronormativity in schools and uplift LGBTQ+ students. It has been found that students identifying as a part of the LGBTQ+ community are at increased risks to suffer from chronic stress as a result of stigma-related discrimination (Smith-Millmen, et. al, 2019) are twice as likely to miss school due to sadness and hopelessness than their non-LGBTQ+ peers (Choi, et. al 2017), and report high levels of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse on campus compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers (Smith-Millmen, et. al, 2019). In order to confront this safety epidemic, educators have begun to explore the ways LGBTQ+ inclusive education could confront safety issues in schools, as well as begin to confront LGBTQ+ erasure and discrimination by omission in all subjects taught.

Benefits of LGBTQ+-Inclusive Education:

Although the passage of The FAIR Education Act, which states that the contributions of “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender” people should be included in curriculum addressing the political and social development of California and the United States was passed and implemented in 2012, fewer than 20% of LGBTQ+ students have reported that they have had positive/neutral representations of LGBTQ+ folks in the classroom (Snapp, et. al, 2015). Additionally, research has shown that LGBTQ+ related issues, topics, and people are underrepresented in the courses such as health and sexuality (Snapp, et. al, 2015), math and science (Snapp, et. al, 2015), and although more included in the fields of English, history, and government, LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum in these areas miss several aspects that would make the curriculum more inclusive. However, when done correctly and with the intention of inclusion, LGBTQ+-inclusive makes school safer for both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ students, and when this curriculum was implemented, students as a whole heard fewer homophobic slurs, experienced less victimization and bullying, and a reduction of prejudicial attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community (Snapp, et. al, 2015). While LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum lacks literature in a lot of areas (mostly due to its nonexistence), present research studying it has pointed towards its power to affirm student safety and individuality and extend inclusivity.

How Educators Have Implemented This:

While there is no present standard of LGBTQ+ curriculum, educators and teachers have implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum through the inclusion of literature with LGBTQ+ characters/authors, anti-bullying campaigns, and social justice units. By including and making available reading materials and topics towards LGBTQ+ students, as well as including them next to non-LGBTQ+ topics and literature, educators can combat the lack of representation LGBTQ+ students and educators face both inside and out of the classroom. Additionally, by integrating LGBTQ+-inclusive topics and literature in the classroom, teachers can give students a more realistic version of the global population aside from what they have traditionally heard about in school and inside their home. This way, teachers can promote lifelong learning and tolerance while simultaneously acknowledging diversity and fighting back on stigma (Batchelor, et. al, 2018).

Why Is This Important:

As LGBTQ+ students face disproportionate violence, lack of school safety, and a lack of representation in the classroom, it is important that educators consider adding LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum within their current class material in lieu of policy passage in order to help foster school safety, inclusivity, tolerance, and reduce discrimination the LGBTQ+ community faces. By increasing LGBTQ+ inclusive content in schools, students will have a safer and more tolerant learning environment to learn in, as well as will have a better picture of the global population and all of the people within it. By including LGBTQ+-inclusive topics in the classroom, educators can also help combat discrimination by omission as well as discrimination through homophobic, transphobic, and biphobic stereotypes and prejudiced beliefs. By expanding representation, acknowledging the LGBTQ+ community, and advocating for inclusive content that reflects the world as it is, rather than through the heteronormative and cisgender lens, educators and institutions can begin to make the necessary change in order to protect LGBTQ+ youth and create education that discusses prevalent, yet often unmentioned, current issues that impact the global community as a whole.

References:

Batchelor, K. E., Ramos, M., & Neiswander, S. (2017). Opening Doors: Teaching LGBTQ-themed Young Adult Literature for an Inclusive Curriculum. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 91(1), 29–36.

Choi, S. K., Baams, L., & Wilson, B. D. M. (2017). LGBTQ Youth In Public Schools, Differences Across the State. The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/LGBTQ-Youth-CA-Public-Schools-Oct-2017.pdf.

Smith-Millman, M., Harrison, S. E., Pierce, L., & Flaspohler, P. D. (2019). “Ready, willing, and able”: Predictors of school mental health providers’ competency in working with LGBTQ youth. Journal of LGBT Youth, 16(4), 380–402. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2019.1580659

Snapp, S. D., Burdge, H., Licona, A. C., Moody, R. L., & Russell, S. T. (2015). Students’ Perspectives on LGBTQ-Inclusive Curriculum. Equity & Excellence in Education, 48(2), 249–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/10665684.2015.1025614

Snapp, S. D., McGuire, J. K., Sinclair, K. O., Gabrion, K., & Russell, S. T. (2015). LGBTQ-inclusive curricula: why supportive curricula matter. Sex Education, 15(6), 580–596. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2015.1042573

How should we think about “development”?

I conceptualized a new course this term, to make up for the study abroad course that I could not offer. I ambitiously called it “understanding development,” keeping in mind the idea that we would discuss what this term means and what we should do about it.

understanding development — source: medium.com

The reaction from students so far is pretty positive and I have an almost full class. The debates and discussions that arise are lively and encouraging. I am taking a critical perspective of the term, in the tradition of James C Scott or Dudley Seers. I am forcing the students to challenge their assumptions and ask some difficult (and seemingly strange) questions.

One student pointed out that the fact that life expectancy for African-American men in NY City can be as short as someone living in Afghanistan “shocking.” This is unfortunately true, and we can see several examples of “underdevelopment”, in the classical sense in our own neighborhoods.

During my drive to the pharmacy this morning, I heard about the eviction of the homeless in Echo Park, in LA. The fact that hundreds of homeless people are being evicted, with no real solution in place is appalling. However, when one thinks about this in the context of existing social order and what we are willing to tolerate or not, things start to make sense. Of course, in every society, different groups have different priorities and usually, the priorities of the ruling classes dominate.

One could look at this cynically and argue that we are witnessing nothing but the impacts of the economic way of thinking, meaning, our privileging of economic growth over other factors: social cohesion, justice, equality, etc. and that may be true. As Stephen Macekura points out in his book “The mismeasure of progress,” this question was posed by pioneers of the study of development such as Dudley Seers. Seers pointed out that we “measure what we value, we value what we measure. To envision the world anew requires new tools, but also a clear articulation of the ethical commitments and politics that give them force.” (p.10).

Macekura further points out that the very nature of statistical measures can be value-laden. For instance, do we consider the non-paid work of women at home as part of economic activity, if not; why? What about volunteer work?

Statistics have been part of the national self-definition process, as Macekura adds that

“Census data, moreover, often defined the boundaries of national belonging and social difference by enumerating who counted— literally— as members of the nation.”

In the current trend of ‘local economies’ and ‘national economies’, recovering after the covid pandemic, one is tempted to ask: what exactly are we talking about here? Does speaking of a ‘national economy’ mean the same thing when we talk about a highly organized and structured society like the US and another such as India, which has a huge informal economy? Is there equivalence in terms and concepts?

References

Macekura, S. 2020. The mismeasure of progress – Economic growth and its critics. Uni of Chicago Press.