Dismantling racism and white supremacy in public service institutions and society: contextualizing the discussion and introducing the symposium

Abstract

The field of public administration has long resisted admitting an uncomfortable truth. Public administrattion is culpable in creating and maintaining racist, white supremacist policies and institutions through which Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color disproportionately experience prejudice and discrimination and, therefore, inequities and injustices throughout public services and society. However, few have been willing to have this difficult conversation. This Dialogue symposium seeks to contribute to this conversation, and this introduction both previews pieces in the symposium while also adding context to key concepts and discussions.

Keywords:

• Social equity
• social justice
• racism
• white supremacy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sean McCandless

Sean McCandless, PhD., works as an assistant professor and DPA Associate Director in the School of Public Management & Policy at the University of Illinois Springfield. His research investigates how accountability for social equity can be achieved.

Brandi Blessett

Brandi Blessett, Ph.D. is an associate professor and inaugural director of the Masters of Public Administration Social Justice (MPA SJ) program at the University of Cincinnati (UC). Her research agenda advocates for ethical practices, professional standards, and accountability measures to promote equity, justice, and fairness in U.S. society.