Conference

Protect My Rights: Whiteness as Property in Education

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Abstract

Scholars have written about the importance of understanding whiteness as a factor perpetuating racism in order to disrupt systems of racism and oppression. A theory that can help to illustrate how whiteness continues to perpetuate racism is the concept of whiteness as property coming from critical race theory. This session will introduce the concept of whiteness as property, how whiteness has been historically protected under the law, and how it continues to be protected within educational contexts. Examples from the law and from education will illustrate the theory of whiteness as property. This session is based on a qualitative research study of the experiences of white graduate students in education. The study was focused on the students’ experiences regarding race and racism. The hope is that when we can begin to recognize and acknowledge the ways that whiteness is protected under the law like property, we can start the work to change it. Are you ready for change?