Rethinking Interest Convergence Toward Antiracist Policy Building

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In this interactive symposium presenters look to Derrick Bell’s work to offer new insights and approaches to Bell’s foundational concept of Interest Convergence toward antiracist policy building. Authors present papers that build upon Bell’s thesis to question the rise of state sanctioned violence and dehumanization of people of color, the resurgence of pronounced colorblind racism alongside white backlash and the push towards race-neutral policy implementation. After the Session Chair introduction, the Moderator will facilitate discussion among the Discussant, panelists, and audience members to better understand the complexities of Bell’s theory while asking “what have the shifting times meant for Bell’s concept and its utility?”

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Examination of Race, Ethnicity, Class, and Gender in Education

Chair

• Walter R. Allen, University of California - Los Angeles

Papers

• Revisiting Bell's Theory Through Power Preservation: Institutional Versus Individual Interest Convergence in the 21st Century - María C. Ledesma, San Jose State University

• The (Com)Promise of Affirmative Action: Leveraging Interest Convergence Expansion - Uma Madhure Jayakumar, University of California - Riverside

• Dispelling the Myth of Ethnic Studies as Interest Divergence: Countering Racial Neoliberal Politics and Pedagogy - Rican Vue, University of California - Riverside

Discussant

• Tara J. Yosso, University of California - Riverside