Disrupting White Mindfulness: Race and Racism in the Wellbeing Industry

Disrupting White Mindfulness challenges the dominant narratives in the mindfulness industry, highlighting the whiteness, postracialism, and neoliberalism that shape it. The book argues that these narratives perpetuate institutional racism and exclude People of the Global Majority. An emerging movement focused on justice-infused mindfulness and liberatory wellbeing decolonizes mindfulness and de-centers whiteness, offering alternative solutions based on indigenous, global South, and queer knowledges.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Disrupting White Mindfulness provides a timely and insightful analysis of the prevailing narratives that dominate the mindfulness industry. By positioning itself as apolitical, it creates institutions that seamlessly align with increasingly divided societies. The race-gender profile of these institutions reflects a predominantly White, middle-class composition of decision-makers, educators, and staff, which is also reflected in their audiences. Mechanisms that perpetuate whiteness within the industry include corporatist pedagogies, authoritative edicts, disengagement from diversity, and inappropriate applications of mindfulness that perpetuate marginalization for People of the Global Majority.

A growing movement focused on a justice-infused mindfulness and liberatory well-being is emerging, seeking to decolonize mindfulness and de-center whiteness. This movement draws upon indigenous, global South, and queer knowledge to generate diverse solutions that prioritize liberation. While there is potential for White Mindfulness to evolve and transform, it is crucial to acknowledge the need for meaningful change and the importance of challenging the dominant narratives that shape the mindfulness industry.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 223 x 146 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526162069