Walking on Eggshells: Color-Blind Ideology and Race Talk in Teacher Education

• In Event: Fighting Whiteness: Race and Racism in Teaching and Teacher Education

Abstract

This paper examines the race talk of teacher education students in the context of colorblind ideology. Using critical race theory as a conceptual framework and grounded theory as a methodology, I developed an interview series with six teacher education students. Analysis revealed five integrated themes about colorblind ideology, and the race talk of teacher education students: (1) racial socialization; (2) feeling and dealing with race talk; (3) abstract liberalism; (4) the pitfalls of good intentions; and (5) institutional challenges. This study pushes the field to consider a more comprehensive understanding of colorblind ideology and raises possible questions and practices for teacher education programs.

Author

• Dennis Lance Rudnick, Indiana University - IUPUI