Erasing Race in Trump's America? The Perils of Culture, Class and Anti-Racism

In this talk, sociologist Derron Wallace examines the historical and contemporary strategies to erase race in schools in British and American societies, in the wake of recent commitments to anti-racism. Using rich observations, interviews, and archives, Wallace reveals how culture is used as an alibi for racism in schools. He also shows how class mediates, but does not fully explain, structural and cultural inequalities in British and American schools. Wallace draws on a two-year ethnography in London and New York City schools to show how the overreliance on culture to explain Black students’ achievement and behaviour in schools is a trap that undermines the complex factors that shape how students experience schooling. Wallace closes by pointing out what educators, parents and students can do to change the beliefs and practices that reinforce racism, even in a context of government-sanctioned attacks on race in schools and society.

His visit will also provide an opportunity to foster dialogue between European and North American researchers working on sensitive issues in contexts characterised by multidimensional crises, where academic freedom may be put to the test.

This event is organized by PSAD, IACCHOS et le GIRSEF.