Welcome to another episode ofThe Round Table! This week, Daniella, Preena, Kassandra, Inyoo and Sauda discussed the power of story-telling, intersectional identities, the role of youth in bringing about societal change, and so much more. They spoke with Dr. Rob Carpenter, a UCLA Professor and author, who has worked in the White House, Hollywood, tech and transportation, and who is a self-described “firm believer in the power of creativity and storytelling.”
The hosts learned how Dr. Rob’s intersectional identity -- as a part Black, White, and Native man who grew up in a fully White household, in a predominantly Latinx neighborhood, with Jewish and Asian best-friends -- shapes his writing and allows him to empathize with many diverse groups of people. They question whether today’s world lives up to Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, share hope for the future through collective youth organizing, and even ponder how idealism grapples with reality in the possibility of creating a utopian world.
Passionate for the virtue of stories over statistics in all levels of education, Dr. Rob shares how often, as early as 2nd Grade, students are “educated out of their creativity” -- teachers forced to teach to the test are unable to incorporate stories or the arts, contributing to the attendance crises across many schools. Yet the system is possible to reform if politicians are made to understand it needs changing, and on a smaller level, Dr.Rob describes how he, utilizing his curriculum freedom as a College Professor, makes sure every lesson includes reflection questions giving students the opportunity to relate their personal experiences to class-content.
Asked about his suggestions to fix the educational system, Dr. Rob mentions increasing inter-subject integration, role-playing in the classroom, and teaching “from the outside in.” The conversation wraps up with hosts sharing their “why” for participating in these late-night conversations and staying involved overall, and giving their advice for the generation coming up behind them.
Thank you for listening!
