Privileging whiteness in higher education institutions: critical discourse analysis of white racial frames in diversity strategic plans

ABSTRACT

I examine diversity strategic plans at a large public research university to investigate how whiteness remains pervasive in the institution, even amidst diversity and equity planning. Using critical discourse analysis guided by Feagin’s theory of white racial frame, I interrogate how whiteness persists in university values, policies, and messages within diversity strategic planning, and discuss the consequences for equitable change within the university when the scope of planning is limited by whiteness.

KEYWORDS:

• Diversity
• whiteness
• critical discourse analysis
• higher education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).