Using critical family theorizing and intersectional feminist praxis to navigate reflexive conversations on race and power in academic settings

Abstract

Conversations related to racism, antiblackness, and oppression have expanded over the past years in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others. As family scholars, we recognize the impact of the legacy of violence against Black and Brown people and are at a point in history where the United States is struggling to address ramifications of unacknowledged race-based traumas. Critical intersectional feminist praxis suggests conscious dialogue about antiracism is one place in which change can occur. As such, we used critical family theorizing to navigate a four-part group discussion on addressing antiblackness among Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) faculty and doctoral students. As an exercise in reflexivity, this article translates theory into action through the reflections of four colleagues who had diverse roles in facilitating these conversations. We anchored strategies for interrogating institutional White supremacy through examining antiblackness and intentional engagement of equitable institutional practices.