CPD: Teaching Anti-Racist Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Globe, along with many other theatrical institutions, moved online over the past year, and as such this CPD session took place on Zoom – and while there is no substitute for in-person human contact, this did have the advantage that teachers were able to join from all over the world. Aimed at teachers in secondary schools, the workshop's intention was to unlock ways to use Shakespeare actively, to explode racist myths. There were opportunities throughout for direct engagement and discussion, and for on-the-feet practical exercises.

We began with a discussion about what ‘anti-racism’ actually means, highlighting the distinction between simply not being racist and making a conscious effort actively to challenge racism. Participants talked about the moral imperative to speak up rather than staying silent in instances of racism – and some student-friendly graphics were shared showing the distinction between non-racist and anti-racist behaviour. Throughout the workshop we were engaged with as if we were students ourselves, and this discussion like all other elements could be lifted exactly as-is and repeated in the classroom.