As tutors at a Writing Center, we have duties to work toward anti-racism at the University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL). Historically, writing centers have been founded on ideas that promote the praise of standard English and reject cultural differences in writing and education. Often, writing tutors in the past (and occasionally in the present) frown upon the vernacular of people of color, whether that be colloquial language, unfamiliar phrases, or even forms of English to which we are unaccustomed. We have the power to reverse the racism in the roots of our institution by taking action in our appointments and responding to the necessity of becoming anti-racist at the UCWbL.
Taking Action
To create a community of inclusivity, appreciation, and anti-racism, there are both specific and general approaches tutors can take within appointments to unlearn the problematic ideas within the foundation and formation of writing centers. Learning to appreciate deviations from standard English, such as colloquial language or vernacular, as well as cultural and linguistic differences that shine through in a writer’s work is one goal that tutors should have. Further, tutors can adopt a tutoring strategy that favors descriptive feedback as opposed to prescriptive feedback: we should focus our attention more toward the writer’s clarity and formation of complete ideas and arguments (descriptive) rather than pinpoint errors in grammar and punctuation use that often do not inhibit our understanding of the text (prescriptive).
Outside of appointments, tutors should work toward becoming aware of their own personal biases and unlearn these, taking the opportunities presented by the UCWbL to participate in seminars and reflect upon tutoring strategies and experiences that could use improvement. Shattering institutional racism within writing centers can be an intimidating venture that will take years of work, but through active involvement and effort, all tutors are capable of creating positive change to make the UCWbL a place of inclusivity and appreciation.
By Noelle M and Bridget L