Countering the Backlash: High School Alumni Reflect on the Power of Racial Justice Education

• In Event: Whose Histories? Whose Futures? Coloniality, Control, and Counterstories in Schooling

Abstract

This project explores the lasting impact of racial justice education through the voices of alumni from a high school social justice program. Grounded in Critical Race Theory and Critical Whiteness Studies, it examines how students developed critical consciousness around systemic racism and racial identity. Using a mixed-methods approach, findings show that students of color felt empowered by curriculum that reflected their histories, while white students described discomfort leading to anti-racist growth. Across identities, alumni emphasized the program’s role in fostering empathy, cross-racial dialogue, and civic engagement. These insights counter current attacks on racial justice education and affirm its importance in preparing youth to examine inequality and pursue a more just and inclusive democracy.

Author

• Rebecca Novalis-Edwards, Loyola Marymount University