TJ Crowley Added to Wichita State’s Profiling Course
WICHITA, Kan. (GVP) — An expert in criminal justice and racial profiling is taking a creative approach to teaching a sensitive topic this semester at Wichita State University.
Dr. Michael L. Birzer, professor of criminal justice, is incorporating scenes from the audio drama The Real Education of TJ Crowley into his Racial Profiling course, alongside his own textbook. Set during the Civil Rights era in Wichita and unfolding in the very neighborhoods surrounding the university, the award-winning young adult story offers a powerful lens into one white teenager’s journey toward racial awareness—making history feel immediate, personal, and relevant to today’s conversations.
Performed by a racially diverse cast of 15 actors voicing 24 characters, the audio drama provides students with an immersive experience that extends beyond traditional classroom materials. Through dynamic storytelling and authentic dialogue, the production brings characters and their varied perspectives to life—deepening students’ understanding of race, identity, and the criminal justice system.
The advanced course examines how Black and Brown individuals experience and interpret encounters they perceive as racial profiling. Within the novel, TJ—a white teenager shaped by the biases of his mother and her boyfriend—begins to shift his views through relationships at school and in the community. As the story progresses, TJ’s worldview is challenged and expanded by those who look and live differently from him, ultimately leading him to reject racism and take a stand for the values he comes to embrace.
Selected scenes from the new audio drama will be heard in class discussions in which groups of students will be asked to discuss their experiences. In addition, students will look at the “mediating factors” (positive influences) in the story that help the character overcome personal biases and racism.
In the syllabus, Birzer writes, “Because we will discuss racial profiling and other issues centering on race and the criminal justice system, it is important that our discussions are civil in tone, and that we are courteous and respectful to each other.” Birzer believes the novel will foster the helpful discourse he's looking for.
Fostering Difficult Discussions
The audio drama will be part of a new racial literacy program, following Dr. Birzer’s curriculum and the TJ Crowley audio drama. Bridges Over Fences, an initiative by Wichita's Youth Educational Empowerment Program (YEEP), secured an equity grant from the United Way of the Plains' 'Promise on the Plains' program. This grant supports YEEP's mission to empower individuals aged 12-24 with essential racial literacy skills.
Led by Dani Martineck, upper left, the TJ Crowley Audio Drama features 15 actors voicing 24 roles.
Grant Overstake to Speak on Tuesday
Grant Overstake, the co-author and executive producer of the TJ Crowley Audio Drama will be speaking to the class on Tuesday, February 6. This unique opportunity allows students to engage with the author and creator of the audio drama, gaining deeper insights into the creation process and the themes explored in the drama.
Wichita author Grant Overstake will visit Dr. Birzer’s Racial Profiling class.
“I’m looking forward to engaging with students on this important topic and seeing how they respond to the audio drama in a classroom setting,” said author Grant Overstake. “Many young people today—regardless of background—haven’t had meaningful opportunities to understand how others live. They need a safe, thoughtful space to examine the biases we all carry and to discuss the challenges of navigating difference. We believe audio storytelling can support that process in a powerful way.
“Some of Dr. Birzer’s students are preparing for careers in law enforcement. I see this as an opportunity for them to reflect on how they’ll interact with diverse communities—especially in the role of public service.”
Preorder TJ Crowley Audio Drama
'The Real Education of TJ Crowley Coming of Age on the Redline’ will be released on June 11, 2024 and distributed by Blackstone Audio. The audiobook is now available for preorder on AudioBooks.com and Audible and other sites.