Abstract
This chapter deconstructs the historical development of the zero-sum fallacy of racism; the harm it has caused not only to Indigenous, African American, Asian American, Latinx and multiracial people but also to white Americans; and the damage it has done and continues to do to this country’s founding principles. The chapter outlines our approach to this ism and the key concepts and historical legacies that constructed and continue to underwrite racism and white supremacy. We discuss the different levels on which racism operates and describe the interlocking institutions (housing, health care, labor, education, criminal justice, etc.) that sustain and perpetuate racism in the present, with examples to illustrate. We also provide examples of how people have taken action to challenge injustice in these systems. A sample design for teaching about racism is provided along with a discussion of pedagogical, design and facilitation issues that arise in teaching about racism and white supremacy and guidelines for addressing these issues.
This chapter outlines core components, concepts, and frameworks that can be used in an introductory social justice education course or workshop as well as incorporated into ism-specific classes and workshops. These core concepts provide an effective way to introduce social justice issues to a variety of participant groups. We discuss facilitation considerations and provide learning activities for teaching these core concepts. This chapter can serve as a stand-alone introduction to SJE as a topic in its own right, as well as a way to introduce a specific ism (racism, ableism, classism, etc.).