Living Theories 2019

What is my purpose?

Epistemology

How do I know what I think I know?

Axiology

What are my values and how do they shape me?

FILMS

Alex Beresford discusses knife crime - conflict over causes and solutions

Anti-semitism in the Labour Party

Conservative Party - Islamophobia

Angela Smith

'Funny tinge'

Shamima Begum - loses citizenship

Marie Huxtable stated during a discussion at the the conversation cafe on the 8.3.19 that when telling or writing stories that develop your epistemology we 'should tell a story of where you are and then track a story of how you got there.'

The counter argument to this claim according to Jacob Rees Mogg MP speaking on LBC on 18.3.19 is that 'Comic Relief has peaked in the course of nature and is now old hat' . Suggesting that David Lammy's 'White Savours' rhetoric bore no impact on the £8million reduction in donations compared to previous years.

Is this a living contradiction? - Whilst I understand David's concerns of not utilising and honing local talent his statement of,"The world needs no more white saviours" needs to be challenged. When we are trying to connect in unfamiliar territory does it seem sensible to have a familiar face, preferably one that we see as compassionate, to lead us into that territory?

Whilst I will challenge injustice wherever I can, I don't embrace tokenism. For example, having an all black presenter cast on the Comic Relief show suggests strongly to me that the presenters were chosen not necessarily because they were the best person for the post, but because of the colour of their skin. Moreover, when we see white elders carrying black youngsters or vice versa, we must consider the intention behind that image I believe the Stacey Dooley photo was taken with love and compassion and while maybe some of the Comic Relief's practice of the directing and producing of the show changes, did it have to be challenged in such an ugly way which seemingly stereotypes a black man, something that David Lammy constantly raises awareness of. How can we not think black men are angry given that whenever we see David Lammy he is often shouting with real aggression. Some may see his shouting as a consequence of frustration and passion, others may see it as a consequence of him being out of control and angry. So whilst I understand his concerns, does he have to temper the manner in which he delivers this important message? Otherwise people don't respect you and then they don't listen or respond, but people do listen and understand if you shout, consequently raising awareness and possibly changing a paradigm. A living contradiction?

This photo of my grandchildren was taken as this was my grandson's first visit to his aunty's house and we wanted to mark the occasion, it was not staged in response to DL's white saviour comment, although upon looking at it later it we did as a family reflect on what this image may now portray to the world since the white saviour comment was published.

Context further - Calypso's maternal grandmother is from Mauritius and Lucian's mother, maternal grandmother and grandfather are from Zimbabwe, he also has a paternal grandfather from Jamaica. Both grandchildren were born and live in Bath. I believe these children represent the face of diversity within UK families today. According to the 2011 census 45% of the Greater London population were White British. I therefore suggest that David Lammy's 'White Saviour' comment was not well received by everyone, given the drive towards equality, integration and inclusion in an increasingly diverse world. A seemingly well intended statement seeks to drive a wedge between cultures.

Living Theory Posters

Living Theories Poster I https://1drv.ms/w/s!Aqy3Z82HkflEgfxzobHc4wOsQka1DA

- includes my initial learning about Living Theories - basic information about me - loves and drives.

https://1drv.ms/w/s!Aqy3Z82HkflEgoNNgXmL5d3fumc11g - Living Theories Poster II - Word - March 2019 includes articles I feature in and articles I have written regarding, BME as leaders, leaders and learning. There is also an audio discussion featured on here regarding identity and belonging with a lifelong friend.

Link to audio between Sophia and I - discussing identity and belonging - 37 minutes - https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aqy3Z82HkflEgf88jNORObPkaH1HMA

Living Theories Poster III... Living Contradictions of

being brought up in care, my history, the history of black people in Britain, particularly black women and how their and others' rhetoric are shaping me and others like me today.

Enquiry

How do I influence the motivations and capacity of future leaders in a climate of diverse school leadership models to meet the needs of a contemporary society?

How do I develop my methodology?

• Read key theses and journals recommended.
• Continue to develop understanding of methodology, axiology, epistemology and ontology.
• Attend lectures, take notes and collect live quotes
• Finish reading JW's 2018 book
• Write up initial enquiries and plan actions
• Video self reflecting on experiences with other black educators in London to demonstrate my impact and the impact others have on me.
• Complete living theories poster III by end of June 2019.
• Develop clarity over quoting and referencing.

'White Saviour'

Living Theories Poster IV - What does fulfillment, love, justice and equality look like?

Kaz and I discuss leadership - just hover over the video and press the play button.

My Stories - A living contradiction

Books 2017-19

Current Headlines

Liam Neeson - I am not a racist

Bloody Brexit!

London Black Executive Headteacher, Lilian Umekwe, quits post after investigation into her conduct and acts of compliance.

Amber Rudd - 'coloured'

Ejolts

Black academics face bullying

Marie Huxtable

David Lammy - 'White Saviour'

References

YouTube

Ian Phillips

Eden Charles

Jack Whitehead

Living Theories - Paula Shore - Initial thoughts on Ontology, Epistemology, Axiology and Methodology

Freedom, Justice, Love, Equality, Compassion, Respect and Connectedness

Ontology

Beginning my living theories inquiries - here I outline my current pathway of learning as I set out on an incredible journey of demonstrating how my values and epistemology develop and impact and how a living theories methodology helps me to seek answers. This pathway contains links to videos and my two Living Theories posters - Paula Shore - March 2019