Racelighting Counterstories in Practice

• In Event: Queer Resistance, Detracking & Racelighting: A Historical Case of an Urban Mountain-West High School

Abstract

Participants will first develop a clear understanding of racelighting as a subtle yet pervasive form of psychological manipulation in school contexts. By examining how racelighting causes queer and BIPOC students and educators to question the validity of their own experiences, attendees will gain insight into the ways these dynamics erode trust, undermine engagement, and perpetuate inequitable school cultures. The session will also equip administrators with an ethical imperative to recognize and interrupt racelighting practices as foundational steps toward more just and affirming learning environments.
Drawing on Zemblays and Matiass’ (2024) counter-story methodology , this presentation relies on rich interview-based counterstories collected from queer and BIPOC students and educators. Through selected excerpts and thematic analysis, the session will trace how racelighting emerged in everyday school interactions—whether in classrooms, staff meetings, or informal spaces—and led to patterns of self-doubt, overcompensation, and strategic resistance among those most marginalized. Attendees will see firsthand how counterstorytelling not only surfaces hidden harms but also validates lived experiences and catalyzes collective advocacy.
The significance of this work lies in its potential to transform administrative practice by demonstrating that policy alone cannot dismantle racelighting. Instead, by centering counter-narratives, leaders learn to affirm marginalized voices, co-construct more inclusive discourses, and design interventions that preemptively address the emotional and relational dimensions of equity work. In so doing, this session offers a replicable model for school leaders who seek to move beyond performative equity measures toward genuine systems of support in which every student and educator can thrive.

Author

• Nicole C. Wilson Steffes, University of Utah & Westminster University