White imagination, Black reality: recentering critical race theory in critical whiteness studies

Abstract

This essay uses the concept of the white imaginary to reflect on Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) in education. It examines the field’s value but also its limitations, specifically its preoccupation with converting white people as the solution to systemic racism. The conversion approach ignores the fuller structural nature of whiteness and often privileges the needs and wants of white people over people of color. The essay argues that to better serve Black students and educators, CWS must stay connected to the central tenets of Critical Race Theory and aligned with approaches rooted in the racial knowledge of people of color, such as work on Black genius.

Keywords:

• Critical Whiteness Studies
• Critical Race Theory
• white imagination
• racial realism
• Black genius

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Benjamin Blaisdell

Dr. Benjamin Blaisdell is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education at East Carolina University. His scholarship uses Critical Race Theory (CRT) and racial spaces analysis to examine how white supremacy and antiblackness are normalized in schools. He engages in a collaborative form of research and professional development called equity coaching, which uses CRT to foster racial literacy and critical race praxis with teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. This approach helps educators to sustain racial equity efforts beyond trainings and professional development sessions and to develop the capacity to be racial equity leaders.

Ronda Taylor Bullock

Ronda Taylor Bullock, who is originally from Goldston, NC, earned her doctorate in 2018 at UNC Chapel Hill in the Policy, Leadership, and School Improvement Program. Her research interests are critical race theory, critical whiteness studies, white children's racial identity construction, and anti-racism. Prior to entering her doctoral program, Dr. Taylor Bullock taught English for almost ten years at Hillside High School in Durham, NC, where she now resides. Dr. Taylor Bullock is the co-founder and Lead Curator (Executive Director) of we are, which stands for working to extend anti-racist education. She is the wife of Dr. Daniel Kelvin Bullock and mother of son Zion and daughter Zaire.