The National Association of Independent Schools 25th annual People of Color Conference is coming up in December. Last year I delivered a session that addressed a major topic of a paper drafted. I wanted to further the conversation more, thus I submitted an abstract from a second piece discussing the historical and anthropological perspectives on race and independent schools. It was accepted a few months ago. Here is an edited version of my abstract regarding the session:
Title: Getting Real About Whiteness in Independent Schools
Abstract: The notion of whiteness, in which one believes the world is color blind, teaches us that race does not matter. However, blackness cries out that race does exist; it does matter, but is often silenced by the pressures of our environment. Both of these concepts tend to be the underlying assumptions that are pervasive in predominately white independent schools. This session will delve into the various change agents that predominately white independent schools must embrace in order to cultivate a true appreciation of multiculturalism. Research for this session was drawn from historical literature that analyzes trends in race, culture, and society… as well as from anthropological arguments.
I was in your session last year. Looking forward to attending again this year. You do highlight matters that are just crazy to me. I am always amazed at how such matters continue to get ignored.
Happy Columbus Day, by the way. I imagine you’ve gotten lots of work done.
Brandon,
I made sure I worked very hard on this silly day! Bad nationalism on the USA part.