Lies, Denials, and Cover-Ups: The Pervasiveness of Whiteness in School Districts Relations with Black and Racialized Parents

Abstract

This study explores whiteness as property in parent engagement as experienced by Black and racialized parents in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in Ontario, Canada. Drawing on counter-storytelling methodology, we explore the active harm endured by parents who have challenged racist educators, policies, and practices. We also explore how educators uphold whiteness as property (and intersections with “smartness” and “goodness”) through a spectrum of coercive power tactics, such as lies, denials, and cover-ups to protect their power and control at the expense of Black and racialized parents and students.