Raising Race Questions: Whiteness and Inquiry in Education

by Ali Michael

Conversations about race can be confusing, contentious, and frightening, particularly for White people. Even just asking questions about race can be scary, because we are afraid of what our questions might reveal about our ignorance or bias. Raising Race Questions invites teachers to use inquiry as a way to develop sustained engagement with challenging racial questions and to do so in community so that they learn how common their questions actually are. It lays out both a process for getting to questions that lead to growth and change, as well as a vision for where engagement with race questions might lead. Race questions are not meant to lead us into a quagmire of guilt, discomfort, or isolation. Sustained race inquiry is meant to lead to antiracist classrooms, positive racial identities, and a restoration of the wholeness of spirit and community that racism undermines. Book

Genres: Education, Race, Nonfiction, Teaching

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2014

Reviews

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Short and very readable with lots of excellent stories and examples to help White teachers develop a better racial identity for themselves and a stronger toolbox for addressing racism in schools on many levels.

[Miller Sherling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost done with this, have been reading as part of group at my workplace. So readable and accessible, such a difficult, defensiveness-triggering topic, treated with absolute humility and compassion by the author. She has done great work here; I recommend this to, well, everyone.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An illuminating, clear, and accessible book. From the perspective of a white reader, this could be a powerful grounding text for teachers & admins engaging in inquiry and reflection around race & equity.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't read this book in a fluid manner, I had gone back to it time and again over the past year, I did finally finish it. It is a simple and powerful read for any and all working in education (especially if you're white). The author repeatedly reminds you of her whiteness and why it's important for white people to be aware of this and how it plays out in systems (i.e. schools). She makes a point to say that while she has credentials in this field, she is still learning. Antiracist work should be called practice, not work, because it's an ongoing thing. It's not something you learn once and then that's it. You have to constantly learn, watch movies, read blogs, listen to podcasts, have conversations, attend workshops, etc. Teachers, particularly white teachers, are very hesitant to discuss race and often shutdown when it comes up in the classroom. However, we are doing ALL students a disservice when we ignore race. We can't ignore it. Race is a part of ALL of our identities. This book asks a lot of questions but it also gives you a lot of answers. It is backed up by years of research and study.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to read at times. My own awareness of race came so much earlier in my life. At the age of three in fact, when traumatic event shook my sense of what was fair. I appreciate the way Ali examines her own growth as a white woman understanding white privilege, and I appreciated her work with our school. Her research is probing and I wish I could have spent more time with her unpacking what she discovered as she worked with us. It made me humble about the conclusions I've drawn as I've done research in my own classroom. Some of her conclusions conflict intensely with my own understanding of the best education for children of all races, ethnic and religious backgrounds. It is a provocative book; I'm glad I read it, and I have questions about its conclusions.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for educators.

[Aunnalea · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a White teacher, and you care about race and racism, you must read this book.