Dismantling Whiteness, Capitalism, and Patriarchy for Racial Equity

Critical Race Theory places racial identity at the center of conflicts while the intersectionality approach supports the understanding of race conflicts as the unraveling of our complex identities. These identities of class, race, gender, sexuality, physical attributes, nationality, and the likes are definitely intertwined (intersectionality) but they are also often separate conflicts that can broadly be explained as three pillars (paradigms) of an unequal structure - the big global structure - and the three pillars being Whiteness, Capitalism, and Patriarchy. Race conflicts are largely within the paradigm of Whiteness but often intersect with the conflicts under the structures of Capitalism and Patriarchy. The conflicts within each one of these three paradigms and between them, raise questions about how we approach or how we should approach intersectionality when it comes to race conflicts. Borrowing from Critical Race Theory and from theories in Conflict Resolution, students in this class will explore creative approaches to race conflicts that exist within an oppressive structure but also link to the other unequal, unjust and discriminatory structures.

It is highly recommended that students take this course in conjunction with the “Racism and Policy” course offered in the Fall but not necessarily in any particular sequence. Additionally, students might want to prepare for this course by taking “Decolonizing Knowledge for Racial Equity” also offered in the Spring.