ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on predominantly white educational institutions, whose histories and ideologies center whiteness as the dominant culture. Most existing schools, colleges, and universities in this country were created by and for white people, apart from the few institutions created to serve People of Color specifically, such as historically Black colleges and universities. Most educational power structures reflect that history, even institutions with a higher percentage of racial diversity. Perhaps as a byproduct or a willful hanging on of racial segregation in the United States, many schools operate in the contact phase, thinking of themselves as “just normal.” They function in a kind of racial isolation and operate as “colorblind.” They do not see or name race and especially do not acknowledge whiteness. They espouse a strong belief in school success as a meritocracy and believe any child who tries hard enough will succeed.
