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Crusader Chronicles
Ericka Fisher '96
By Janine Clifford-Murphy '79
Ericka Fisher ‘96 developed her passion for social justice education as a ninth-grade school guidance counselor. Now as a professor in the education department at Holy Cross, she strives to instill in her students cultural competency and a plan for social activism.
How did you become interested in social justice education?
As a guidance counselor, I developed an increasing interest in issues of equity. Looking at race, gender, and the problems that students with disabilities face, I wanted to be sure that all minority populations received equitable treatment in school. In my research at UMASS Amherst, I studied the effect of the long history of oppression (regarding race, sexuality, religion, disability, and gender) on our educational system.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in social justice education?
When you say, “Let’s talk about oppression and racism,” that’s not a happy conversation. The biggest challenge is getting people to acknowledge that the discussion is necessary. When people realize the inequities that have taken place in the educational system, they can become disheartened and overwhelmed.
What’s surprised you?
Social activism is really exploding on the Holy Cross campus. That’s wonderful, because social justice has to include the majority population. Our students have the heart to be socially and politically active and they also have the strength of education. They’re making thoughtful plans for social action and social change. For example, many students are working and volunteering in the socio-economically diverse public schools and neighborhoods of Worcester.
How did Holy Cross influence your career decisions?
I’m from a multi-racial, working-class family in Worcester, but Holy Cross was not really ethnically diverse when I enrolled. Still, I made the decision to come to Holy Cross because when I stepped on campus as a 17-year-old high school student, I noticed that everyone - white students, black students - said “Hi” to me. So while there was not a large minority population, there was a strong community. Over time though, some of the differences I witnessed led me to begin thinking about issues of social justice.
What’s it like going from Holy Cross student to Holy Cross professor?
As a student, professors like Vicki Swigert and Ed Thompson were very influential in my thought process about social justice education. Even after graduation, they made me believe that I could go on to grad school. “When you get your doctorate,” they said, “come back to Holy Cross.” Now I can say that we are not just professors at Holy Cross. We are teachers, mentors, friends to these students. I am in a place where I can truly appreciate the work of my fellow professors. It keeps us going to know that our students have gone on to make social change or to take some action. Alumni might take a minute to drop an e-mail to some of their old professors to thank them and tell them (us) to keep going.
Janine Clifford-Murphy '79 is a member of the GAA's Communications Committee.