Words Without Actions: How Neoliberal Multiculturalism Impedes White Teacher Antiracism

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Seven
  In Roundtable Session: Leveraging Texts to Understand Complex Curricular Realities: (Re)Imagining Stories and Storytelling for Racial Equity (Table 1)

Abstract

This paper uses composite character sketches and racial project theory to illustrate how neoliberal multiculturalism inhibits racial equity in schools. The authors argue that despite the increased usage of the word “anti-racism” by progressive white teachers, specifically in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, it has failed to engender significant transformational change in education. This paradox is examined through stories depicting the ways in which white teachers reproduce neoliberal multiculturalism through reading anti-racist books and joining racial equity book clubs. The authors analyze behaviors that embrace anti-racism without subsequent anti-racist actions to support these declarations. Then identify the way these types of racial projects have shifted and intensified because of the mainstream popularity of anti-racism after Floyd’s death.

Authors

• Justin Grinage, University of Minnesota
  Presenting Author

• Abigail Rombalski, University of Minnesota
  Presenting Author

• Ryan Oto, University of Minnesota
  Presenting Author