Reflecting on the Manifestations of Whiteness: Developing a Critically Conscious, Antiracist Educator Identity

Abstract

ABSTRACTUsing autoethnography as method based on an educator’s reflective journey as they struggle to deliver an antiracist, community-based curriculum while meeting resistance in their predominately white classroom, this article aims to disrupt the manifestations of whiteness in educational spaces. Framed by literature on authentic caring and critical hope and theoretical foundations on the manifestations of whiteness, this article addresses the importance of rejecting white supremacy in favor of developing an educator identity based on the adoption of a critical consciousness for antiracism, equity, and justice in schools. In conclusion, the author offers recommendations to better equip future and current educators in their commitment to racial justice in schools. Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1 I stand in solidarity with my fellow critical scholars and choose not to capitalize “white” to raise awareness that white folks do not share the same histories and experiences as Black, Indigenous, Latine, and other (multiple) marginalized and oppressed identities. I see this as part of the movement to dismantle systems of white supremacy and present this as a call to readers to engage more fully in critical conversations around antiracism, equity, and justice.