Antiracist Student Activism in Suburban Schools

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In recent years, many suburban schools serving predominantly wealthy, white students have expressed nominal support for equity and justice efforts in response to both shifting demographics and protests for racial justice. How are students, especially those who identify as BIPOC, experiencing these initiatives—and how are they helping to shape them? Framed by scholarship examining the context of suburban schools in relation to racial justice, a panel of anti-racist student activists from two predominantly white, wealthy suburban school districts will share the history of their organization, challenges they face in organizing, and the successful strategies they have employed to push adults in their district to more fully deliver on their promise for an equitable education.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Educators for Social Justice

Chair

• Katy Swalwell, Iowa State University

Papers

• Equity Initiatives in Predominantly White Schools - Katy Swalwell, Iowa State University; Daniel D. Spikes, University of South Carolina

• Youth of Color in Suburban Schools - Gabriel Rodriguez, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• A Case of Suburban Youth Activism: Community of Racial Equity for Advancement - Petra Lange, Valley High School, West Des Moines, IA