Undoctrination

Abstract

In a letter to his father, Nick Azzaro explains the question he's looking to answer, which is: How can artwork and engagement counteract the impacts of racism, privilege, and unequal distribution of resources in the American public education system? Both are white American men who disagree on whether or not race plays a role in experience in the United States of America. Azzaro, who taught in an underserved public school district, argues that Black Americans are held to a perception of being academically low achieving, and oftentimes 'failed forward', which leads to a perpetual cycle of challenges. However, this perception is a manufactured one as sys- temic hurdles for Black Americans, and other non-white Americans, have been in place since the Reconstruction era. His father believes it's almost entirely based on bad choices and poor parenting, which becomes evident through the included dialogue. Throughout the letter he offers ways to counter such systems, such as how other artists are engaging communities and working with the youth to create opportunities where change can happen. He concludes with his thesis work, titled Undoctrination, which is what the letter is ultimately about. Undoctrination is the unlearning of the whitewashed history and manufactured perceptions that allows for the acceptance and perpetuation of oppression in America's underserved public schools.