The Other Elephant in the (Class)room: White Liberalism and the Persistence of Racism in Education

Purposeful, intentional racial bias poses an obvious threat to the possibility of real equity in schools. In this volume, antiracist educators explore an equally troubling, but insufficiently explored threat: the racism upheld by schools and districts that claim an antiracist commitment. These institutions perpetuate disparities by enacting that commitment through surface-level and soft diversity and inclusion goals and popular initiatives that are more equity optics than antiracism. This book asks: How is racism perpetuated through actions, programs, practices, and initiatives that might appear to be inclusion-oriented or "progressive," but never quite get around to eliminating racism? How do these efforts pose as racial equity while protecting systems of advantage and disadvantage—creating a sort of equity inertia? The book then asks: What would antiracism look like if we enacted a deeper antiracist approach? What is a truer vision for racial equity? Diverse authors apply these questions to an equally diverse assortment of programs and practices, such as trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, restorative practices, anti-bias work in early childhood education, Montessori schooling, "inclusive" social studies curricula, and toxic positivity and "niceness" as stand-ins for racial equity. Book Features: Illustrates how K–12 educators can adopt more authentically justice-oriented approaches to antiracism. Draws on existing theoretical frameworks such as critical race theory, critical whiteness studies, culturally sustaining pedagogies, and equity literacy. Examines concepts such as white fragility, racial battle fatigue, white privilege, and interest convergence. Includes a range of authors, from racial justice scholars to classroom teachers. Offers an engaging and accessible format that combines narrative with theoretical grounding, bridging critical analysis to visions for moving forward.

Table of Contents:
Introduction by Cheryl Matias and Paul GorskiPart I: White Liberalism and the Illusion of Transformative Intent 1. "Peel It Like an Onion": A Proactive Challenge to White Liberalism Inside a Progressive Teachers Union by Theresa Montaño and Betty Forrester Introduction White Liberalism: Inside the Onion "It Can't Just Be About Racial Justice" White Liberalism, Racial Microaggressions, and Racial Battle Fatigue Putting Race at the Center Racial Justice Is Social Justice Work You Don't See Me: Womxn of Color Are Union Leaders! Sustaining Our Spirits With Action From White Liberalism to Racial Justice 2. The End of Altruism: Moving From White Hero Discourse to Racial Justice Praxis by J.P.B. Gerald Introduction Altruism and Conceptualizations of White Heroism Altruism as Obstacle to Racial Justice From Altruism to Racial Justice Praxis Conclusion 3. Exposing the Other Elephant: White Liberal Discourses and the (Re)Production of Racism in K–12 Education by Lindsay Lyons and Cherie Bridges Patrick Introduction From Deficit Narratives to Systemic Change White Liberalism in Action Disproportionate Discipline and School Leadership Disproportionate Discipline Beyond Schools Moving Toward Racial Justice 4. How Toxic Positivity Prevents Equity for ESOL Students: Getting Uncomfortable for the Sake of Equity by Elisabeth Chan, Lavette Coney, and Heidi Faust Introduction Language, Race, and ESOL Understanding Toxic Positivity and ELs Scenarios Conclusion Part II: White Liberalism in Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness, and Belonging Efforts 5. Colorblindness, White Paternalism, and the Limits of School Desegregation and Diversity Reform by Anna Kushner Colorblindness White Paternalism Conclusion 6. Deploying White Liberal Anti-Racism to Avoid Accountability: Racial Appropriation in Educational Leadership by Tracey A. Benson The Initial Training: Planting the Seeds of Discomfort Collective Derailment: The Characters of White "Liberal" Fragility Taking Responsibility: My Three Fundamental Oversights A Bitter End: Weaponizing White Fragility and Enacting White Rage A Way Forward: Changing the Paradigm Truth and Reconciliation Chapter 7. "We Aren't Going There Today!": Unpacking and Challenging White Liberalism, Racial Silence, and What Kids Are "Ready" for in the Early Childhood Classroom by Andréa C. Minkoff and Katherine Wood White Liberalism, White Fragility, and Racial Silence White Liberal Racial Silencing in the Early Childhood Classroom Challenging White Liberalism, Racial Silence, and What Kids Are "Ready" for in the Early Childhood Classroom Part III: White Liberalism in Curriculum and Instruction 8. White Teachers' Black Historical Consciousness: Can We Teach Black History? by Brianne Pitts, Daniel Tulino, and Gregory Simmons Can "Good" White Liberals Teach Black History? Purpose and Definitions Examples in Practice From BHM to BHC Enacting the BHC Framework Conclusion 9. Overpromising and Underdelivering: White Liberal Narratives in Arts Education by Alina Campana and Amelia M. Kraehe A Vignette The "Arts Teach Social-Emotional Skills Narrative" "The Arts Bridge Differences" Narrative Recommendations 10. White Liberalism in the U.S. History Curriculum: Issues of Diversity and Accountability by Chris Seeger and Maria Gabriela Paz Introduction The Diversity Problem Individual Versus Group Representation The Privilege of Individuality Avoiding Accountability Teaching US History Through a Racial Justice Lens Part IV: White Liberalism in Popular Programs and Initiatives 11. Liberalism to Liberation: Reimagining Montessori Education by Daisy Han and Katie Kitchens Introduction Dr. Maria Montessori: The Hero, Legend, and Racist Demystifying the Deity The White Liberal Montessori Practice The Montessori Approach to Social Emotional Learning: An Assimilationist Tool and Weapon to Silence Discontent White Saviorism Co-opting Antiracism and Upholding White Supremacy What Is Liberation? Conclusion 12. White Liberalism, Racism, and Restorative Justice by Crystena Parker-Shandal How RJE Reproduces Racism Through White Liberal Ideologies Principles to Guide Antiracist RJE Moving Forward With Authentic Efforts for Racial Justice Through Restorative Justice 13. Seeing Systems: The Case for Systemically Trauma-Informed Practice Instead of White Saviorism by Debi Khasnabis, Simona Goldin, and Addison Duane Introduction Understanding Systems and Trauma-Informed Practice White Liberalism and Trauma-Informed Practice From Savior to SysTIP Conclusion 14. Interrupting the White Liberalism of Social Emotional Learning by Jennifer C. Dauphinais and Jenna Kamrass Morvay Introduction Letters Recommendations Conclusion 15. White Liberalism, Positive Behavior Supports, and Black, Indigenous, Students of Color: "We're Teaching Them to Do School" by Jeanne Connelly Whiteness and White Liberalism in Schools Case Study: Culturally Responsive Practices and Positive Behavior Supports Tensions Between PBIS and Culturally Responsive Practices (CRPS) Transformative Practices: BISOC Transformative Opportunities in Disability Critical Race Theory Conclusion Endnotes Index About the Editors and Contributors

About the Author :
Cheryl Matias is professor and director of secondary education at the University of Kentucky College of Education. Paul C. Gorski is the founder of the Equity Literacy Institute and author of Reaching and Teaching Students in Poverty: Strategies for Erasing the Opportunity Gap, Second Edition.