In this book, eleven recent college graduates describe in vivid detail their journeys from racially segregated, underfunded public schools to a state university, and the obstacles they encountered along the way. Chapters highlight personal accounts of poverty, violence, and bullying in childhood, the persistence of racism on the university campus and the inability of faculty and administrators to combat it. Overcoming all-too-common barriers, these eleven students persevered, earned their degrees and continued on to graduate school and professional careers. The authors conclude the book with policy proposals that not only address the issues raised by the students, but that would also restore public education to its original role as an engine of opportunity and driver of democracy.
Author(s): Jennifer Ring, Trisden Shaw, Reece Gibb
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 384
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction: The Context
Public Versus Private Education in the United States
The University of Nevada, Reno
Colin Kaepernick
Peter Cvjetanovic
The Book of the Oath: A Ghost of Nevada Past
The Authors
Chapter 2: Black Wastelanders
The Myth of Identity
Black Wastelanders: Not Really a Group
Trisden
Canyon Springs Law and Leadership Preparatory Academy
Boise State
University of Nevada, Reno
“Switching it Up: Student Dialogues and Faculty of Color”
Henry
Childhood Poverty
Political Awakening in High School
Scholar-Activist Returns Home to Nevada: “Trying Not to be a Shitty Human”
Kristen
Childhood and School
Getting Into College
University of Nevada
Paying the Bills
Aiko
Family History; Nevada Legacy
Childhood: Menfolk in Jail; Strong Women Keeping it Together
An Outsider in School
The Reader
The Next Step: College? The Navy? Basketball?
Race and Hair
The University of Nevada
Racism Right Out of the Gate at UNR
Leaving Reno
Chapter 3: Where Are You From From?
Definitely Not a Real Group
Elsa
Family Background
Family and Childhood
Race Consciousness: Crossing Boundaries
Navigating Boundaries: The Switch-Up
Attending University
The University of Nevada
Yesenia
Childhood: Family, Community and ICE
High Schools: College Bound, Making Things Work, and Losing Her Brother
No Spanish Spoken Here
Paterno
Childhood on the Road
Family and Language
Race and Religion
Christian School and Sex
Understanding Race
Moving to Nevada
Whiteness
Tara
Childhood: Beloved Family
High School: Class Privilege and the Price of Assimilation
Microaggressions, Stereotypes, and Islamophobia
University of Nevada, Reno
White Privilege and Colorism
Jose
Family Background and Childhood
Music and Marxism
Escape to Nevada, Episode 1
Economic Class
University of Cincinnati
Escape to Nevada, Episode 2: Racial Hinterlands
La Frontera
Chapter 4: White Wastelanders
Also Not a Group
Thom
Childhood, Carson City, Nevada
College: University of Nevada
Lucy
Childhood
Family Strife
High School
Racial Awareness
Choosing a College
The Crucible: Hitting Rock Bottom and Questioning Academic Elitism
Lessons About Racism
Chapter 5: The Group Meetings: The Room Where it Happens
Finding Our Voices Together
Group Meeting, Session 1: October 14, 2017
Introducing the Voices
How to Be an Ally: Working Together, Building Alliances, Activism
Freedom of Speech: First Amendment Rights and White Supremacy in the Classroom
Possible Solutions: Teach-in on Race; Diversity Courses; Cooperation Between Students and Administration
Group Meeting, Session 2: November 11, 2017
The Identity Spectrum: The Racist Devil on Everybody’s Shoulder
The Room Where It Happens: Open Admission
Thinking Without a Banister
Chapter 6: Grassroots Pedagogy: Rules of Engagement
Suggestions for Teaching Anti-racism on Campus
Chapter 7: Conclusion: Saving Public Higher Education
The Playing Field
Leveling the Playing Field
Funding Public Higher Education
Diversifying Research Models
Micro-Level Reforms
Macro-Level Reforms
Engaged Pedagogy17
Appendix: Saving Public Higher Education: Voices from the Wasteland
Index
