Abstract
Since the re-emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement across the globe, the issues of race and racism have come to the fore again in Higher Education. This movement has spawned a global racial reckoning (of sorts) rife with problems and possibilities. Higher education professionals may witness racial discrimination or experience racism but somehow seem to have lost the confidence or commitment to openly discuss it. Moreover, questions abound regarding the who, what, why, when, and how of effectively conversing about race. Consequently, the rules of ‘race talk’ are often unclear, conversations about race are often avoided, and/or the ‘black, white, and grey’ areas of race are carefully and skilfully navigated. Ketra Armstrong, a Black university professor in the US and Rachel Nir, a White university reader in the UK met at this conference in Austin, Texas in 2018. What seemed like a random and impromptu social gathering turned into an insightful scenario that planted seeds for authentic ‘race talk’ that profoundly impacted them personally (with a rich interracial friendship) and professionally (in their advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and equity). This paper: (a) offers a critique of their experience through the discourse of their respective ‘raced’ lenses, and (b) illustrates the ‘black, white, and grey’ areas of ‘race talk’ in which they successfully engaged. In so doing, this study address concepts such as racial positionality, consciousness of racial privilege, racial access, and the need for cross-race conversations to promote deeper understanding and to facilitate meaningful change.
Presenters
Rachel NirReader in Legal Education and Inclusion, School of Justice, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, United Kingdom Ketra Armstrong
Professor, Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Michigan, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
RACE TALK, CROSS-RACE CONVERSATIONS, RACIAL POSITIONALITY, CONSCIOUSNESS OF RACIAL PRIVILEGE
