Here is an interesting article about the ways we need to undo prejudice and racist thinking in university settings. I completely agree with the premise that many people of color are expected to take the lead on helping their peers unlearn racism. As an educator who is committed to social justice and critical pedagogies, this makes me wonder where the opportunities are for this kind of work to be happening at a larger scale in colleges and universities. The unlearning of oppressive mentalities is the responsibility of everyone and it seems like there is this assumption that is we don’t talk about it, then it doesn’t exist. This in and of itself is a racist and ignorant way of pretending that equity and justice are just going to miraculously happen without any kind of educative process.

The tokenism that is used on brochures for universities also makes me think of a former student who I had that went to a large state college in New England. He was be his own identification, half Greek, half Puerto Rican. He went there for one semester and then transferred back to New York City because he felt like he was representative of diversity on campus. Ironically he is also still featured on their promotional material and it makes me laugh every time knowing the truth behind the image.