HEI staff members share what we’re reading this month. We welcome your recommendations for next month!
Tait Kellogg, PhD, Director of Research & Strategic Services
“Understanding Rural Education Inequity” – The Ear (podcast) by Columbia Spectator
KEY TAKEAWAY: “Really enjoyed this Understanding Rural Education Inequity episode of this podcast put out by Columbia University, Teachers College (my alma mater). I find it important to hear about the challenges associated with coming into the Ivory Tower from a rural community.”
Donté McGuire, Research Analyst
“Tricia Hersey on Rest as Resistance”– For the Wild (podcast)
KEY TAKEAWAY: “I follow Tricia Hersey’s ‘The Nap Ministry’ on Instagram but recently listened to a podcast where she was interviewed about her work and ideology around rest as resistance. Some things I’m still reflecting on after just a first listen:
1) ‘Grind culture,’ that suggests our bodies are machines runs deep and in ways that I am not even aware. For example, I use the phrase ‘I don’t have the bandwidth for….’ In reality, I am trying to communicate much more than a computing or machine term can capture.
2) How this idea of treating our bodies/minds as machines primarily for production/being productive is directly tied to capitalism and the ways Black bodies were pushed to machine-like pace and disregarded since chattel slavery.
3) My refusal to rest, when I can, is aligning myself with capitalist culture. I get so much joy and fulfillment out of doing things—except resting :)—that I’ve never stopped to ask how much of this is due to being socialized in such a strong capitalist society, at least not recently. Lots of learning and unlearning to do…in time.”
Patricia Steele, PhD, Founder & Principal
The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, MD
KEY TAKEAWAY:“Given the state of trauma that many people are living in—from the isolation effects of the pandemic or illness or loss, or the racial justice challenges of the recent year, this book seems to me to be a good choice. The author talks about how trauma affects the mind, body, and the chemical makeup of the brain. Just a tiny hint of a threat then re-traumatizes individuals and leaves them in a constant state of vigilance. It’s no way to live and can lead to further isolation. Mentally and emotionally, trauma affects how survivors interact with people and the world around them. The author explores some unique and fascinating avenues of treatment to help past trauma subside in its power. It’s a worthy read.”