Analogous to the political use of language itself in determining, even producing, student learning outcomes, the use of politically charged discourse circumscribes (the boundaries of) student learning opportunities. This 'positive' (i.e. productive) understanding of discourse does not only prohibit discussion about race and racism but helps…

Two significant events in the last decade, #concernedstudents1950 at the University of Missouri and the George Floyd murder, have galvanized student-athlete activism, particularly Black student-athlete activism. Framed in Critical Race Theory (CRT), this article examines contemporary Black student-athlete activism and how their activism is…

This essay urges the field of applied theatre to extend its critical focus to examine how whiteness differentially shapes our institutional homes, scholarship, and creative practice. Drawing from Sara Ahmed's (2012) notion of 'institutional life', the essay takes readers into my academic home at the University of Missouri, a predominantly white…

In 2019 the University of Missouri Athletics (Mizzou Athletics) tweeted an image of student athletes as part of their "I am" campaign. While the two white student athletes are defined with captions stating the certainty of their future careers, the Black students are defined by their racial identity and current values. The Mizzou tweet…

Purpose: From book challenges to anti-critical race theory and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning legislation, US English teachers have been on the receiving end of a considerable amount of far-right conservative pushback. This study aims to explore the effects of conservative pushback on individual English teachers…

Across the country, effort is underway to restrict discussion, learning, and student support related to race and gender/sexual identity in educational settings, targeting schools with state legislation and politicians' orders; national conservative media and organizations; Board directives; and local actors wielding media-fueled talking points. To…