Facing Racism in Education

At a time when many in public life and public education are inclined to argue that racial issues and problems belong to a bygone era, this third edition of Facing Racism in Education makes clear the need for continued attention to and open discussion of race and education.This third edition of Facing Racism in Education continues the work begun in the first and second editions of this widely acclaimed book: breaking the silence about the experiences of people of color in education. The new volume features equal measures of classic essays from the previous two editions and new essays written since 1996. Together they offer a complex and compelling view of race in today’s education world.From the Editors’ Introduction:Although conversations about the importance of and need for "diversity" are occurring in some schools and public discourse, many politicians and educators fail to recognize the equally prevalent social and educational inequities that continue to plague our communities. Moreover, they resist challenging the structures of privilege and power that perpetuate the daily impact of racism on the lives and learning of students of color in contemporary American society. The contributors to this third volume of Facing Racism in Education address the many forms of racism still present in today's schools and classrooms, yet they also bear witness to the courage and conviction of communities, students, and teachers who work to deconstruct the logic of racism in education and dismantle its structures. They remind us that, as we question how far we have come since Brown, we must also recommit ourselves to the daily work of undoing racism through antiracist practice. While some might ask, "Aren't we done with this yet?" we maintain that, like democracy, diversity and commitment to educational equity represent more than an "outcome"; they are part of a process that each generation must take up, reinvent, and reinvigorate to ensure its continuation for generations to come. We hope these essays will support this process and challenge educators to continue to do this important and essential work.