Dismantling Racism in Education
DERT recently had the opportunity to attend a “Dismantling Systemic Racism in Education” presentation at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, hosted by the Hawk Foundation, with keynote speaker Dr. Joy DeGruy. Dr. DeGruy is a deeply respected researcher and educator whose work explores the long-term impacts of historical trauma and the pathways toward healing and change. The evening was thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. It offered a powerful reminder of how history continues to shape present-day systems and experiences, and showcased a critical truth: when we downplay, or refuse to confront, the histories that have shaped our present, we limit our ability to move toward meaningful healing.
Dr. Joy DeGruy’s presentation highlighted the importance of engaging with complex, and often uncomfortable, truths as a necessary part of growth. She reinforced that meaningful change begins with both awareness and taking the time to deepen our understanding of the systems that shape our communities. Creating space for these conversations, especially within our professional and educational work, is a critical step toward building more informed, compassionate, and resilient communities.
What stayed with me most was a renewed understanding that social justice and environmental work are deeply interconnected. The systems that shape how people are treated are often the same systems that influence how land, wildlife, and natural resources are valued and protected. Recognizing these connections is essential if we want to create a more just and sustainable future– one that supports both healthy communities and healthy ecosystems.
As environmental stewards and advocates, we have a vital role to play in moving this work forward. A few tangible ways to begin healing and creating a better future include:
Continuing to learn and share accurate, inclusive histories
Creating educational spaces that welcome diverse perspectives and experiences
Building partnerships across social justice and environmental sectors
Reflecting on how our programs and practices can be more equitable and inclusive.
Even small shifts like the stories we tell, the voices we elevate, and the way we design our programs, can contribute to broader systemic change.
I left the event feeling both inspired and challenged to think more deeply about how we can integrate social justice into environmental education in meaningful, actionable ways.
About the Keynote, Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy:
Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, and a PhD in Social Work Research. Dr. DeGruy is a nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator. For over two decades, she served as an Assistant Professor at Portland State University’s School of Social Work and now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Joy DeGruy Publications Inc. (JPD).
Dr. DeGruy’s research focuses on the intersection of racism, trauma, violence and American chattel slavery. She has over thirty years of practical experience as a professional in the field of social work. She conducts workshops and trainings in the areas of intergenerational/historical trauma, mental health, social justice, improvement strategies and evidence based model development.
Dr. DeGruy has published numerous refereed journal articles and book chapters and authored her seminal book entitled “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury & Healing”. (https://www.joydegruy.com/shop) She has also developed an assessment scale for measuring respect with regard to African American male youth (https://www.joydegruy.com/african-american-male-model).
Dr. DeGruy is a nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator. Through lectures, workshops, seminars and special guest appearances, Dr. Joy has shined a light on the critical issues affecting society. Dr. Joy’s seminars have been lauded as the most dynamic and inspirational currently being presented on the topics of culture, race relations and contemporary social issues.
Dr. Joy DeGruy authored the book entitled Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing, (revised 2017) which addresses the residual impacts of trauma on African Descendants in the Americas. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS) lays the groundwork for understanding how the past has influenced the present, and opens up the discussion of how we can eliminate non-productive attitudes, beliefs and behaviors developed to cope and survive the traumatic periods of capture, transport, enslavement, Jim Crow and current day racial terrorism. The focus of the book is to learn and build upon the strengths we have gained from the past in order to heal from injuries both past and present.
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (P.T.S.S.) is a theory that explains the etiology of many of the adaptive survival behaviors in African American communities throughout the United States and the Diaspora.
It is a condition that exists as a consequence of multigenerational oppression of Africans and their descendants resulting from centuries of chattel slavery. A form of slavery which was predicated on the belief that African Americans were inherently/genetically inferior to whites. This was then followed by institutionalized racism which continues to perpetuate injury.
