RMAPI Racist Policy and Resistance in Rochester

Pittsford PTSA Diversity and Inclusion Event : RMAPI Racist Policy and Resistance in Rochester

Shane Wiegand June 17th, 2020

This talk examines how federal policies like redlining, racially restrictive covenants, and urban renewal segregated Rochester, built wealth for its white citizens and disenfranchised people of color. It explores how local civil rights leaders like Howard Coles, Dr. Walter Cooper, Connie Mitchell, Alice Young and many others fought back. Finally it connects these past policies to the disparity and inequality we see in Rochester today.

Shane is currently working with other teachers and education leaders across the area, as well as the PathStone Foundation, to develop a new school curriculum focused on local history of racial injustice and inequality. The curriculum, which will be taught to students throughout their K-12 experience, is titled the “Antiracist Curriculum Project: Structural Racism and Resistance in Rochester." The courses will focus on policies and structural racism which shaped the city of Rochester and surrounding neighborhoods. You can support the curriculum project here.

The presentation will run for 45 minutes followed by a deliberative dialogue for at least 15 minutes after.

Speaker Bio

For the past eight years, Shane Wiegand has been working as an elementary classroom teacher. Outside of school he is engaged in various efforts to fight racism, promote equity, foster culturally responsive social studies curriculum throughout Monroe County, and improve his neighborhood. Shane gives presentations at schools, universities, churches, and neighborhood associations on the local history of segregation and redlining in Greater Rochester, serves on the board of the City Roots Community Land Trust, serves as treasurer on the board of the Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition, and sits on the board of Connected Communities. He is also an adjunct instructor in Neurology at URMC where he focuses on issues surrounding equity.

Meeting Resources

• This events recording

• THE MOTIVES FOR EXCLUSIONARY ZONING Conor Dwyer Reynolds*

• Pittsford students demanding more inclusive curriculum and interview

• Slides from Presentation

• Home learning resource on redlining

• Video of past presentation at URMC.

• Hard Facts Report Raises Many Tough Questions

• Program at the Pathstone Foundation