Second Thought Project
反思計畫
©Wen-Li Chen 陳雯俐
About
⇌漢
The Second Thought Project (https://secondthoughtproject.com) is an ongoing learning journey focused on social justice. It offers notes, thoughts, reflections, conversations, and toolkits to support this journey.
The project is driven by the perspectives of being an educator, BIPOC, and a parent who believes in humanity. I aim to plant seeds of hope, change, dignity, and integrity, fostering a world of understanding and practicing social justice to create a peaceful life.
1
Introduction
2
Personal Equity Reflection
3
WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WHY DO I HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT IT?
4
Five Tools / Strategies / Techniques
5
Five Resources
6
Preface7
During Work
8
In My Head
9
What is Microaggression?
10
How to Have COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS With Students and Community as Educators?
11
How to Have COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS With Yourself?
12
Practice using a compass as a navigator to start a conversation and reflection
13
Self-Reflection
14
Amy Chua
15
Amy Tan
16
Writings between 2022 and 2024
The toolkit is based on a series of courses rooted in equity-based and culturally responsive pedagogy, serving as a framework, reference, and resource for learning and teaching from an educator-training perspective.
Additionally, it is my personal toolkit, built over years of collecting, studying, and reading, to continue learning in the pursuit of understanding social justice.
There’s no right or wrong way of accessing those materials. It serves as a mirror and a window for me to reflect on what happened, what is happening, and what will happen, so I can move forward to teach with hope and a sense of change.
Jimmie Durham, Smashing, Video, 1’31”, 2004
PERSONAL EQUITY
REFLECTION
“ I will prioritize equity over peace. Although conflict resolution and mediation programs can be useful, they should not replace equity and justice efforts. Never, under any circumstance, should equity concerns be handled through processes that assume parties occupy similar spaces along the privilege-oppression continuum. In the end, peace without justice renders the privileged more privileged and the marginalized further marginalized; a condition that might be understood as the exact opposite of authentic equity.”
— Paul Gorski for EdChange and the Equity Literacy Institute. Revised December 8, 2017
I was inspired by several artists and their conceptual intentions in making their art, as a new immigrant with an identity fog, when I only thought of equity as fairness. Jimmie Durham’s “smashing” video (2004) and his series of work make me think of bureaucracy and inequity towards immigrants or minority groups of people without “identity.”
Adrian Piper’s “Everything” series of work and some of her work based on the grid system, mapping, or performance; once I got to read and learn more from reading and media resources about social justice and diversity through the program, the more I appreciate her provocative thoughts and actions towards systematic inequity for black people.
I think it’s so important to recognize and to name it and to say it with any expression possible to address social justice issues on the premise of human rights. I can’t agree more with Paul Gorski to say, “I will prioritize equity over peace…..In the end, peace without justice renders the privileged more privileged and the marginalized further marginalized; a condition that might be understood as the exact opposite of authentic equity.” (Ten Commitments for Equity-Literate Educators)
When I think of being an educator, I see myself as a guardian for all children, pursuing equality and equity in any form, from now on into the future. They can become responsible citizens who make a ripple effect, overturn their prolonged, preexisting oppression, and create a bright, equal future for everyone.
The mindset is the key to making a seed grow down the right path, one that can thrive alongside other species on the planet. I will do my best to help students recognize, name, and say it without confusion or fear. On the other hand, I would like to be checked by people around me to ensure I wouldn’t get lost on the path of truth and social justice.
July 21, 2023WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WHY DO I HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT IT?
If you believe human rights are a foundation for every human being in this world.
A right that is believed to belong justifiably to EVERY PERSON. These universal rights are inherent to US ALL.
Regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic region, color, religion, language, or any other status.
Social justice is justice in relation to the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society where individuals’ rights are recognized and protected.
[1][2] In Western and Asian cultures, the concept of social justice has often been understood as the process of ensuring that individuals fulfill their societal roles and receive their due from society.[3][4][5]
In the current movements for social justice, the emphasis has been on breaking down barriers to social mobility, creating safety nets, and advancing economic justice.[6][7][8][9][10][excessive citations]
Social justice assigns rights and duties within the institutions of society, enabling people to receive the basic benefits and bear the burdens of cooperation. The relevant institutions often include taxation, social insurance, public health, public schools, public services, labor law, and market regulation, to ensure the distribution of wealth and equal opportunity.[11]
—
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice
The UN definition of social justice is “an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations.” This can be interpreted as a world in which societies are based on the principles of equality and solidarity, understand and value human rights, and recognize the dignity of every human being.
The five key principles of social justice are often defined as:
the recognition that different people have different needs and circumstances (equity), ensuring that everyone has access to the
resources and opportunities they need to succeed (access), enabling all individuals to play a role in the
political, economic, and social life of the communities (participation), protecting the human rights of all individuals (rights), and valuing and respecting differences between people, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation (diversity).
—
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160301FIVE TOOLS / STRATEGIES /
TECHNIQUES
Books:
Readings for Diversity and Social Justice by Maurianne Adams (Editor), Warren J. Blumenfeld (Editor), D. Chase J. Catalano (Editor), Keri Dejong (Editor), Heather W. Hackman (Editor), Larissa E. Hopkins (Editor), Barbara Love (Editor), Madeline L. Peters (Editor), Ximena Zuniga (Editor)
Why did I choose it?
Reading this book helps me learn more about different forms of oppression and privilege from multiple perspectives, recognize systemic racism, and address it.
How can it be a challenge?
Reading this book helps me learn more about different forms of oppression and privilege from multiple perspectives, recognize systemic racism, and address it.
Engagement
I can use this book as a guideline for students to read and design a lesson plan that reflects this reading and applies to conceptual and critical thinking.
Best Practices in Educational Equity
Website:
hanoverresearch.com
Why did I choose it?
It gives me more details about how/what/why/where to practice equity in different scales with more information and explanations.
How can it be a challenge?
Although it’s nice to have a clear structure or framework to follow and check, it may backfire for educators to default to thinking in terms of particular groups of students.
Engagement
I can use this tool to guide classroom instruction, management, family communication, engagement, or culture/environment building.
Washington Models for the Evaluation of Bias — Equity Literacy Institute
Website:
www.equityliteracy.org
Why did I choose it?
Having evaluation criteria to assess teaching, instruction, and materials helps me examine myself during the preparation and design stages.
How can it be a challenge?
Sometimes it can be a challenge to consider myself the right filter for students. What about students’ perspectives on the selection of learning materials?
Engagement
If we choose appropriate learning materials and provide better instruction and communication, students can benefit from academic and ethical learning.
ANTI-BIAS EDUCATOR ACTION PLAN — Equity Literacy Institute
Website:
www.equityliteracy.org
Why did I choose it?
I like a structure that can help a new teacher implement a more solid cycle.
How can it be a challenge?
Sometimes I get so caught up in the subject I want to teach in art or design that I lose sight of it when I’m out of time on the schedule.
Engagement
This plan can help me adjust my teaching, observe student interactions, and reflect on and tweak the lesson.
Multicultural curriculum characteristics — Equity Literacy Institute
Website:
www.equityliteracy.org
Why did I choose it?
This is a summary for me to oversee all teaching needs regarding materials, preparations, curricula, classroom culture, and so on, listed in the bullet points.
How can it be a challenge?
I can’t be 100% good at filtering out all information for students at once. The students and I may need feedback, observation, and reflection to get learning going without sacrificing DEIA.
Engagement
I can use this checklist to find some books on Learning for Justice or Social Justice Books as learning materials.
Website:
learningforjustice.org
Why did I choose it?
It is beneficial for a new teacher to incorporate a lesson plan that can be taught step-by-step to deepen understanding of the concept and its application of equity.
How can it be a challenge?
Sometimes I have a blind spot regarding the lesson plan or perspective of reading the same book. This resource will help me to re-examine and re-check the in-process preparation and lesson plan.
Engagement
For teaching visual art that can be combined with equity-based learning resources on selective topics and through different filters, grade levels, and age-appropriate or extended review, this is a place for a new teacher to dive in and apply in the classroom, with tweaks and adjustments.
Website:
instructionpartners.org
Why did I choose it?
This is an excellent resource for a K-6 teacher with continued re-education and training in developing and connecting with the community to learn collaboratively.
How can it be a challenge?
I need more different opinions and perspectives to reflect on in the workplace or daily life. I can learn more from research and evidence-based practice through this platform.
Engagement
This allows me to apply the practice in the classroom and to exchange ideas with other professionals, creating a better understanding and deepening my learning through constant reflection and feedback checks.
Website:
jstor.org
Why did I choose it?
This digital archive website includes press, media, publications, newspapers, and other archival materials for art and design, as well as more critical, research-based studies and writings.
How can it be a challenge?
This platform provides me with multiple perspectives on the same topics from the past that I can use to have students read in depth to develop their critical thinking. And it shows some non-equity-based messages or writings for me to use as an example to cross-check and discuss.
Engagement
This resource can serve as a data/fact/info check alongside other online open resources to examine or study a concept/practice/application of art, theory, or creativity.
Website:
thehopespeaksproject.org
Why did I choose it?
This is an urgent resource for connection and re-education for schools, parents, and communities that build a trustworthy, safe environment for students overall now and in the future.
How can it be a challenge?
Some communities, neighborhoods, or families may not have time, may not recognize the urgency, or may not feel comfortable participating in such specific equity-based gatherings, classes, workshops, or training.
Engagement
It can be a bridge for schools, students, and families to learn together, building a strong future through common cause, recognition, and awareness.
Equity Resources
Black Lives Matter At School
https://www.dcareaeducators4socialjustice.org/black-lives-matter/resources/early-childhood-elementary
Learning for Justice
https://www.learningforjustice.org
Social Justice Books
https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists
Zinn Education Project
https://www.zinnedproject.org
Embrace Race
https://www.embracerace.org
Reimagined
https://www.reimagined.news
The Root
https://www.theroot.com
Teaching for Change
https://www.teachingforchange.org
Gender Spectrum
https://www.genderspectrum.org
The White Pages
https://thewhitepages.net
Woke Kindergarten
https://www.wokekindergarten.org
Outfront Minnesota
https://www.outfront.org
AAPI MN History
https://www.aauc.us/minnesotas-asian-american-and-pacific-islander-history/
https://pages.stolaf.edu/aim/history/
https://archive.mpr.org/collections/asian-heritage-in-minnesota
https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/immigrants-and-refugees-minnesota-connecting-past-and-present
Children Books
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
Say My Name by Joanna Ho
Keepunumuk by Danelle Greender, Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten
Sorry, Snail by Tracy Subisak
I Lived Inside a Whale by Xin Li
This Is Not My Home by Eugenia Yok, Vivienne Chang
Say Something: The World Needs Your Voice by Orchard Books
They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
Our Little Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki
Ten Little Dumplings by Larissa Fan
Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin
Birthdays Around The World by Margriet Ruurs, Asyley Barron
The Smallest Girl In The Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts, Christian Robinson
School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, Christian Robinson
How We Say I Love You by Nicole Chen, Lenny Wen
This Is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe
Children of the World by Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma, David Dean
You Are Loved by Margaret O’Hair
Ama’s Lu Rou Fan by Chris Huang
All Because You Matter by Tami Charles
Collaboration Station by Shannon Olsen
Ada Twist, Scientist by Beaty / Roberts
The Girl with Big, Big Questions by Britney Winn Lee
Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor
The Hair Book by Latonya Yvette, Amanda Jane Jones
You Matter by Christian Robinson
You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith, Danielle Daniel
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
Podcasts / Webinars
LGBTQ History in Public Schools
https://www.learningforjustice.org/podcasts/queer-america/lgbtq-history-in-public-schools
Seeing White
https://sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/
Counter Stories
https://counterstoriespodcast.org
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
https://open.spotify.com/show/4P86ZzHf7EOlRG7do9LkKZ?si=LXqkcXt4SYSW4NEaPmjboA&nd=1
The Bright Morning with Elena Aguilar
https://www.brightmorningteam.com/podcast
Eyes on Whiteness
https://www.transmutingwhitesupremacyandpatriarchy.com/work/eyesonwhitenesspodcast
Asian American History 101
https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com
Latino USA
https://www.latinousa.org
Abolitionist Teaching and the Future of Our Schools (webinar with Bettina Love, Gholdy Muhammad, Dena Simmons)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJZ3RPJ2rNc&list=RDCMUCXu5dcswjbA0zpXLIBn5NmQ&start_radio=1&t=707s
Seeing White Podcast - Part 5: Little War on the Prairie
https://sceneonradio.org/episode-35-little-war-on-the-prairie-seeing-white-part-5/
TED Talks
I’ve lived as a man & a woman - here’s what I learned by Paula Stone Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrYx7HaUlMY
How students of color confront impostor syndrome by Dena Simmons
https://www.ted.com/talks/dena_simmons_how_students_of_color_confront_impostor_syndrome
Solving the Achievement Gap Through Equity, Not Equality by Lindsey Ott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOQbu_3M0_Q
The Consciousness Gap in Education - An Equity Imperative by Dorinda Carter Andrews
https://youtu.be/iOrgf3wTUbo
How America’s Public Schools Keep Kids in Poverty by Kandice Sumner
https://www.ted.com/talks/kandice_sumner_how_america_s_public_schools_keep_kids_in_poverty?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Help for Kids the Education System Ignores by Victor Rios
https://www.ted.com/talks/victor_rios_help_for_kids_the_education_system_ignores?language=en&referrer=playlist-blueprints_for_the_next_genera&utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Systematic Inequality in Education - Advocating Change through Music by Peter Douskalis
https://youtu.be/7Bcc2purNs4
Our Failing Schools. Enough Is Enough! by Geoffrey Canada
https://youtu.be/vY2l2xfDBcE
Socioeconomic Status and Barriers to Education by Monica Korakula
https://youtu.be/ZWUi-yXmM_0
How to Overcome our Biases? by Verna Meyers
https://www.ted.com/talks/verna_myers_how_to_overcome_our_biases_walk_boldly_toward_them/up-next
Independent Bookstore in Minnesota
Black Garnet Books, St. Paul
https://www.blackgarnetbooks.com
1319 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Moon Palace Books, Minneapolis
https://www.moonpalacebooks.com
3032 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis
https://wildrumpusbooks.com
2720 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Birchbark Books, Minneapolis
https://birchbarkbooks.com
2115 West 21st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405
TV Series / Movies
“Amend: The Fight for America”, 2021
American docuseries published by Netflix
“Good Hair”, 2009
American documentary film directed by Jeff Stilson and produced by Chris Rock Productions and HBO Films, starring and narrated by comedian Chris Rock.
“Wind River”, 2017
Directed by Taylor Sheridan
“Missing From Fire Trail Road”, 2024
Directed by Sabrina Van Tassel
https://news.onefeather.ca/5-films-tv-series-associated-with-mmiw © 2026 Wen-Li Chen 陳雯俐All Rights Reserved Website Manager: Wen-Li Chen
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