Critical Whiteness Praxis in Higher Education: Considerations for the Pursuit of Racial Justice on Campus

Administrators of colleges and universities are increasingly addressing racial inequities in higher education by examining the manifestations of whiteness in campus communities. This book provides a framework for understanding how whiteness operates to perpetuate racial hostility and unwelcoming environments, while upholding the interests of white students, faculty, and staff. By exploring these topics through the lens of Critical Whiteness Studies, administrators can identify the material consequences of whiteness on students, faculty, and staff of color.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2022
Publisher: Stylus Publishing

College and university administrators are increasingly being called upon to address the deeply entrenched racial inequalities in higher education. To achieve this, it is essential to pay close attention to both historical and contemporary manifestations of whiteness in higher education and student affairs. This book serves as a valuable resource in bridging the gap between theoretical and practical considerations regarding the ways in which whiteness operates to perpetuate racially hostile and unwelcoming campus communities for People of Color. At the same time, it upholds the interests and values of white students, faculty, and staff. While scholars and practitioners in higher education have long explored the role of race and racism in these contexts, there has been a limited focus on Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS). By employing a CWS lens, this book offers unique opportunities to examine white identities, attitudes, and ways of being, while also explicitly naming how whiteness is embedded in environments that marginalize and oppress students, faculty, and staff of color.

Part one of the book introduces key theoretical ideas and concepts that administrators, scholars, and activists can utilize to critically interrogate how whiteness functions on campus. It explores the historical roots of whiteness in higher education, examines the ways in which it is perpetuated through institutional policies and practices, and highlights the impact of whiteness on the experiences of students, faculty, and staff of Color. This section provides a foundation for understanding the complexities of whiteness and its implications for campus communities.

Part two of the book delves into practical considerations for how whiteness operates across various campus spaces. It examines the ways in which whiteness manifests in student leadership programs, fraternity and sorority life, faculty tenure and promotion, LGBTQ support services, and other areas. The book offers insights and strategies for administrators, scholars, and activists to address and challenge whiteness in these contexts, promoting more inclusive and equitable environments for all students, faculty, and staff.

In conclusion, this book is a crucial contribution to the field of higher education. By providing a comprehensive exploration of the ways in which whiteness functions on college and university campuses, it offers valuable insights and practical considerations for administrators, scholars, and activists working to promote racial justice and equity. By challenging the dominant narratives of whiteness and promoting a more inclusive and equitable campus culture, we can create a more just and equitable higher education system for all.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642672688