174 Comments
User's avatar
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Apr 25
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Nicole's avatar

So good to hear that.

I imagine that setting all this up is a big task AND that you’re experiencing a lot of upheaval right now…. but, I’d encourage you to look at the work of Janet Vertesi (Princeton- sociology, technology, data-economy resistor) She started the optoutproject.net to help people avoid “the evils of data-collecting algorithmic systems”.

She has a program to guide you through a cyber-cleanse step-by-step.

EG: you could break up with Google and shift to alternatives that won’t harvest your data or that of your students.

I realise this comment is out of the blue, but these things are all connected and it’s important to share the tools we can use to empower ‘the people’ ✊

Expand full comment
Jennifer Howard's avatar

When will confirmation emails be sent out?

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Soon! I just opened the enrollment last night ;)

Expand full comment
Ellen Schafhauser's avatar

What email address or heading should we look for. I also enrolled right away.

Expand full comment
Yvette Fuentes's avatar

I applaud you! I’m a professor at a private university in the south which has decided to deactivate courses without rhyme or reason based on the government’s attack on DEI programs. Today I informed my Latino lit students that the course would not be offered again. I almost broke down crying because it was a course I had created and popular among students of color. At the end of class, one of my students came up to me and told me she wanted to create a Latino/ Latin American book club and asked me to serve as advisor. We have other ways to teach and now more than ever we have to step up to form alliances and forge communities outside traditional spaces. Thank you for sharing your story 💙

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Thank you so much! And thank you for sharing your story. I know the feeling, not just of all the work and labor that goes into teaching, but the heartbreak from students. I just believe that this work can go on without gatekeepers and high price tags. We move!!

Expand full comment
Yvette Fuentes's avatar

Thank you! And yes, we move 💙

Expand full comment
Ann Cammett's avatar

Congrats to another Black woman not bending the knee to the would-be-king and his cult. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#BlackGirlMagic

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Doing what we can for the people!

Expand full comment
Linda English's avatar

OK this one also sounds amazing!! I wish we could have an online university with everyone's amazing courses. I would take all of them and more!

Expand full comment
Jennifer Howard's avatar

This is how it's done! As a retired educator still teaching, I can tell you, LET NOTHING HOLD YOU BACK FROM TEACHING! Carve your own path as a truthteller. You will always have students because people are hungry for truth. Teach On!

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

I like this!! Nothing should hold us back from what we love to do.

Expand full comment
Tannhauser's avatar

As a graduate of Columbia University I applaud you for doing this . While I will always treasure my educational experience there I am horrified by what has transpired and will not support the school until transparent and substantive change occurs .

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

It's been really heartbreaking to see. I hope things change for the better. But for now, we move!

Expand full comment
Alison Nishi's avatar

As someone who went to grad school for international and intercultural communications with concentrations in mass media and international politics, I LOVE THIS!!!! Thank you for making this available. We need more of this approach to understanding the world we live in.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Agree! Which is why I'd like to put it out there!!

Expand full comment
Laurie Davidson's avatar

I’ve been reading Viennese history, and apparently some of the most groundbreaking thinkers in science, philosophy, social science, and literature here before WWII held lectures even thought they could not get university positions, because they were Jewish. It was very common for lecture halls to be filled with students who wanted to learn from these great minds. Go Karen! I have no doubt you will also fill a hall with students eager to learn from you.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

I'd love to learn more of this history. We are not reinventing the wheel, which is both a sad testament to the moment we are in, and oddly... encouraging?

Expand full comment
Laurie Davidson's avatar

Yes, it's inspiring that you so quickly filled the class, that there are people who want to be challenged and learn even outside the context of earning a degree! The book I'm reading is Vienna: How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World by Richard Cockett. https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300279368/vienna/

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Thank you !!

Expand full comment
Kat Lo's avatar

Thank you for offering this course. So much needed right now. I also love that you are opening this to all age groups. I believe it makes these types of discussions rich and insightful. We can all learn so much and open our minds. Appreciate your bravery.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Thank you!! And I enjoy multicultural, multigenerational environments... we have a lot to learn from each other.

And I don't know.. am I brave? I just want to share what I know with other people. :)

Expand full comment
Dawud Marsh's avatar

I’ve sent an email asking how I can support a student who would not be able to afford this course.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Email receieved!

Expand full comment
Denise McHam-Pinto's avatar

Coming from a 65yo who desegregated SC days school at 1st grade,excelled in majority schools and selected HU for undergrad;

If our ancestors could learn to read 🕯️in the darkest hour, we will find a way to keep the 💡on. Built in America has meaning.Eyes forward head high. Teach.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

We will keep on keeping on!

Expand full comment
Cleo's avatar

I am an MD. This is way out of my wheelhouse but I’d love to contribute towards a scholarship.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

You might be surprised--- I actually had a unit on race, public health and the media....Either way, would love to have you be a part of this!

Expand full comment
Cleo's avatar

I know I would learn a ton. I always do from you. I emailed you about sponsoring a scholarship. Thank you for all you are doing.

Expand full comment
Bob Tinsman's avatar

It makes me ill to see how so many universities are caving like this, and I applaud your initiative and courage. My partner is a professor of ethnic and cultural studies, and the administration has tried to silence any discussion of what's happening in Gaza, so they are organizing meetings on the down low.

I'm glad you got such a great response, but not surprised, because so many people realize we have to stand up to this racist, sexist BS, and the students really want the opportunity to discuss these subjects freely. Have we forgotten what education is about?

Keep going strong, and encourage others to follow in your path. Where I live in Oakland, the Black Panthers set up their own schools. Let's keep up that good fight!

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

I appreciate that so much! And yes, I just think it shouldn't be that difficult for those of us who have had access to these spaces and knowledge to share what we know with others of our choosing.

Expand full comment
Margaret Russell's avatar

What an amazing and brilliant idea! I admire you for doing this. I can't help but think this could be the start of something truly beautiful and earth-shattering. What if you are leading the first steps towards decolonizing, decentralizing, and reimagining knowledge and scholarship? Imagine the sort of world we could live in if we lowered the barriers to participation in this type of learning.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Thank you so much! Just wanted to try it, and keep going. Maybe others can do the same, and we might see that this is profitable, sustainable-- and.. pleasurable to do.

Expand full comment
Carolita Johnson's avatar

I can’t afford it but I believe in it and am so glad and inspired that you’re doing this!

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Still sign up! There are scholarships and if the projections hold-- more than enough to fund people to come!

Expand full comment
Liberal Rocks's avatar

I don't have the time to take the course, but I can afford to pay for your enrollment at the Community Tier. Message me, I'll cover you.

Expand full comment
Carolita Johnson's avatar

I wish I’d seen this in time! Thank you so much! Not just for the offer but for restoring my faith in humanity. :) So very kind and generous! Related: I need to look for my notification settings. Thanks again!

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

!!! This is beautiful!!

Expand full comment
Carolita Johnson's avatar

Isn’t it? :)

Expand full comment
Harriet's avatar

Love the solidarity ❤️!

Expand full comment
Michael R. Watson's avatar

Would you consider (later on) an additional paid tier for those of us who would like to audit the course but aren’t up to the full personal commitment I’m sure this course will require? I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the economics you’ve worked out. Good luck!

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

I’m still working on the economics!! And this is an option I’m considering. I want this to be as accessible as possible. :) So stay tuned.

Expand full comment
StillTrying2AgeGracefully's avatar

Professor, I would love to join the class(es) later. Best of luck with the first round!

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Aye!!

Expand full comment
Debra Has All That Free Time's avatar

This is a wonderful idea! Perhaps you’ll consider sharing the course syllabus and reading list here? That would allow those of us who cannot enroll to still learn.

Expand full comment
Karen Attiah's avatar

Yes, I'm thinking about sharing week by week what we are reading and talking about as it goes on!

Expand full comment