Race at Predominantly White Independent Schools (eBook)

Bonnie E. French is assistant professor of sociology at Caldwell University.

2. Financing the Vision3. Embracing Diversity: Diversity Programming on Campus4. The Meaning of Diversity5. Evidence of Continued Racism6. An ExceptionConclusion

This book opened my eyes to the well-kept secret of how racial minorities are perceived and the tensions that exist between predominantly White administration, faculty, parents’ committees, and non-White diversity coordinators. It is highly relevant and important as it will help to expose independent schools’ covert determination to close their doors to Black students from economically underprivileged households. The book will definitely make a significant contribution to the fields of education, educational sociology, educational anthropology, and multicultural education.

French’s critical analysis of race in independent day schools is a must-read for educational leaders, but also for students, parents, and the wider public. Using a grounded theory approach, she exposes the layers of racism that are still evident and prevalent in these predominantly White institutions. Yet, she also offers a symbol of what independent schools can achieve, a challenge to move beyond the masquerade of inclusion, and a call to action for all of us to disrupt the system of segregation in independent schools.

This book enhances the discussion of diversity in educational institutions by examining the perception of racial integration and diversity initiatives by key stakeholders in independent day schools. The book is a welcome contribution to the study of diversity.