Talking about race: overcoming fear in the process of change

Abstract

This study is a doctoral dissertation that proposes new theory about teachers overcoming fear in the process of change, and finds significant changes happening in classrooms as a result of overcoming the fear of talking about race. The study context is professional development for teachers and administrators who are talking about race and learning about institutional racism as a strategy to address racial achievement gaps. The three primary findings of this study are: the extent to which the fear of being considered racist is a barrier for White teachers and administrators, preventing them from engaging in the work at a deep level; the manner in which some principals successfully mediated this fear and helped their teachers overcome it; and the meaningful changes in curriculum, instruction and practice that happened in classrooms as a result of this professional development work.