*Starts at 4:03 Introduction to Critical Whiteness Studies (Boyd, 2015)

According to Boucher and Matias (2023), “whiteness and its impact on people of color can not be separated” (pg 3). Acknowledging that students' learning is directly influenced by the knowledge they can access is vital. Throughout history, students of color have had limited access to learning due to resource limitations and legal provisions. The second part of my Work will delve into how the use of theories such as Critical Whiteness Studies and Critical Race Theory in education. Critical Whiteness theory highlights the privileges and resources that are provided to students who society views as White as a result of systemic and systematic racism in America.

Table of White Supremacy

According to Dixson (2018), fostering White supremacy is different from acknowledging White privileges. Growing up in high school, I surrounded myself with friends from all different races. When I visited my friends in small rural communities, I always traveled with a White friend. The reason was because of my recognition of White privilege, and as a personal survival strategy. I also remember a time when I was having a meal with a white friend from a rural community, and the staff didn't serve me until that friend told them about their father's standing in the township. What I was subject to in this scenario was an example of someone using their White privilege to impart their White supremacy.

Boyd (2015) introduces his students to the theory of CWS and informs them that until Whites are ready to address their privilege and acknowledge its negative effects on people of color, damage, and danger will continue to befall those who are not of the homogeneous identity. As an educator, it is imperative to recognize the power that you hold in the classroom space. With that power comes the responsibility to inform the learners of their own individual powers and to facilitate a culture that is aware of how to foster community and collaboration. 

Refrences 

Boyd, Dirk . (2015, Sep, 27).Introduction to Critical Whiteness Studies [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bmcfa8oaUY

Dixson, A. D. (2018). “What’s going on?”: A critical race theory perspective on black lives matter and activism in education. Urban Education, 53(2), 231–247. https://doi-org.proxy2.library.illinois.edu/10.1177/0042085917747115

Ladson-Billings, Gloria. (2021, Aug, 21).Critical Race Theory [Video].https://youtu.be/ufKusK6dQI8?si=Rgzpqpi0VYYSX7x1

Matias, C. E., & Boucher, C. (2023). From critical whiteness studies to a critical study of whiteness: restoring criticality in critical whiteness studies. Whiteness and Education, 8(1), 64–81. https://doi org.proxy2.library.illinois.edu/10.1080/23793406.2021.1993751