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Racial Justice and Equality: Annotated Bibliography

Bensimon, Estela Mara. "Reclaiming racial justice in equity." Change: The Magazine of

Higher Learning 50.3-4 (2018): 95-98.

Estela Mara Bensimon's article critically examines the current discourse surrounding

equity in higher education, addressing the historical roots and contemporary challenges.

Bensimon argues that while "equity" has gained widespread acceptance, its true meaning and

intent, rooted in racial justice, risk being diluted (Bensimon, 96). The author traces the

historical trajectory of equity in educational reforms and identifies two major threats: the

omission of race in national higher education reforms and the co-optation of equity, leading

to the erosion of its racial justice agenda. Bensimon highlights the danger of color-blind

reforms that fail to acknowledge whiteness as a structural and cultural condition contributing

to racial inequality (97). Bensimon calls for reclaiming the term "equity" to signify its

original meaning and intent, firmly anchored in achieving racial justice and challenging the

dominance of whiteness in educational reforms (Bensimon, 98). Bensimon's perspective is

highly credible, given her position as the Center for Urban Education director, providing

firsthand insight. The article's publication in Change, a reputable higher education magazine,

adds to its credibility. The argument is well-supported with historical context, and Bensimon

critically evaluates the contemporary reforms using a racial justice lens. Applying the CRAP

test, the Currency is evident from the 2018 publication date, and Relevance is established

through its direct alignment with the research topic. Bensimon's expertise supports the
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Authority, and the Purpose aligns with contributing to a nuanced understanding of equity in

the context of racial justice. Overall, this source significantly informs the discussion on racial

disparities and the evolving discourse on equity in higher education. It offers a valuable

perspective on how it ties into the broader racial justice and equality theme.

Horsford, Sonya Douglass. "Social justice for the advantaged: Freedom from racial equality

post-Milliken." Teachers’ College Record 118.3 (2016): 1-18.

https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811611800305

Horsford's article examines the aftermath of the Milliken v. Bradley case and its

impact on school desegregation as a form of social justice. The author argues that the

competing interests of black equality and white freedom, central to Milliken, persist 40 years

later (Horsford, 2). The article explores the implications of local control, school choice, and

neighborhood schools on racial equality, focusing on the socio-political dynamics affecting

black students' achievement and discipline. The source provides a historical perspective on

school desegregation and its implications for racial justice. It will be used to analyze the long-

term consequences of Milliken, the resurgence of neighborhood schools, and the challenges

in achieving racial equality in education. Horsford's article is published in the reputable

"Teachers College Record," hence showing the Credibility and Validity of the source. The

author uses historical and sociological frameworks to reference legal cases and contemporary

issues. The arguments are well-supported, providing a nuanced understanding of the

complexities surrounding racial equality in education. However, the article's potential bias

should be acknowledged, as it aligns with the author's viewpoint advocating for minimizing

the divergence of interests between advantaged and disadvantaged groups.

James, Osamudia. "Superior Status: Relational Obstacles in the Law to Racial Justice and

LGBTQ Equality." BCL Rev. 63 (2022): 199.

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https://scholarship.law.unc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=1578&context=faculty_publications

This source explores the role of status in perpetuating inequality, focusing on public

school integration and marriage equality. James argues that despite legal advancements, the

failure to address status hierarchies undermines the effectiveness of equality-promoting

doctrines (James, 201). The article analyzes how education and marriage contribute to

maintaining the superordinate status of certain groups, particularly white individuals and

heterosexual couples (234). James contends that legal victories in public school integration

and same-sex marriage have not translated into genuine equality due to an oversight of the

consensual beliefs that underpin status hierarchies (221). The source provides valuable

insights into the concept of status and its impact on equality movements, aligning with my

research on racial justice. I can use James' arguments to explore how status dynamics hinder

the realization of racial justice despite legislative efforts. The article's evaluation will be vital

for considering the credibility of the information presented, given its focus on legal aspects

and societal perceptions. The credible source is published in the "BCL Rev." (Baylor Law

Review), a reputable legal journal. Osamudia James is a recognized figure, and the article

reflects thorough research and analysis. The author cites legal cases and employs a scholarly

approach, contributing to the credibility of the information. The content aligns with

established legal and sociological principles, enhancing the validity of the source. Overall,

the CRAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) indicates a high

level of credibility and validity for this source.

Jenkins, Alan. "Racial Equity and U.S. Law." Health Equity, vol. 7, no. 1, 2023, pp. 61-69,

https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2022.29022.aje.

Jenkins's study comprehensively assesses the association between American law and

racial equity throughout history. It illustrates the contradictory nature of U.S. laws, which,
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while professing ideals of freedom and equality, have also been instruments of racial

discrimination and oppression. The text outlines key historical moments, from the founding

documents to post-Civil War reforms and the subsequent resurgence of racial subordination.

It details legal milestones and setbacks, discussing how laws have advanced and impeded

racial equity, ultimately highlighting the unfinished business in achieving true equality under

the law. It offers valuable insights into pivotal legal cases, legislative actions, and societal

shifts, making it an essential reference for discussing the evolution of racial justice and

discriminatory practices within the legal framework. The source utilizes one hundred sources,

including previous research work, court cases, and organizational publications. The article

was published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., in the health equity journal. Alan Jenkins, the

article author, is a legal expert affiliated with Harvard Law School, which enhances its

credibility.

Matthew, D. C. "Rawls and racial justice." Politics, Philosophy & Economics 16.3 (2017):

235-258. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470594X17717736

This article evaluates John Rawls' theory of justice in the context of racial justice.

Matthew addresses the critiques, particularly those by Charles W. Mills, suggesting that

critics fail to fully understand the insights and limitations of the Rawlsian framework

regarding racial justice (Matthew, 236). The article is divided into two main parts: the first

questions whether Rawls' framework is sufficient to prevent racial injustice, and the second

explores whether it has the resources to rectify past racial injustice (240). Matthew argues

Rawls' ideal theory is essential for tackling racial justice issues and righting past wrongs.

Rawls' primary claim is that principles of justice chosen in an initial fair choice situation,

behind a "veil of ignorance," will prohibit racial discrimination (237). Matthew also discusses

fair equality of opportunity (FEO) and its ability to address racial inequality. This source

analyzes Rawls' framework for racial justice, revealing its strengths and weaknesses. This
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"Politics, Philosophy & Economics" article by York University's D. C. Matthew is credible.

The author's academic background suggests knowledge of political philosophy. Academic

peer review is evident in the article's renowned journal. Matthew addresses particular

critiques by other scholars, showing a deep mastery of academic discourse. Any scholarly

study has biases. Thus, it's important to understand them and use more sources to analyze the

topic fully.

Roche, Charmaine, and Jonathan Passmore. "Racial justice, equity and belonging in

coaching." Henley Business School (2021).

This source, authored by Roche and Passmore (2021), addresses racial justice, equity,

and belonging in the coaching industry. The report results from original research conducted

with key stakeholders in the coaching ecosystem, focusing on Black, Indigenous, and other

people of color (BIPOC) working as coaches. The authors argue for a shift from 'color

blindness' to a conscious stance towards race, emphasizing its importance in creating a

coaching movement for racial justice and equity. Research shows that 'color blindness' in the

coaching business hinders the development of an inclusive and diverse society (Roche, 26).

The writers emphasize measurable efforts to establish an inclusive industry. The findings also

highlight a lack of engagement with the issue of race in coaching literature and professional

artifacts, indicating a significant gap that needs to be addressed (9). This source, offering

insights into the challenges faced by BIPOC coaches, is valuable for understanding the

dynamics of racial justice within the coaching industry. The source's credibility is supported

by its basis in original research, collaboration with global academic colleagues, and the

inclusion of perspectives from multiple countries, enhancing its relevance and applicability.

Stanchi, Kathryn. "The Rhetoric of Racism in the United States Supreme Court." BCL

Rev. 62 (2021): 1251.

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Kathryn Stanchi's article analyzes the references to terms such as "racist," "racism,"

and "white supremacy" in the history of Supreme Court rulings. It highlights two significant

patterns: the Court's portrayal of racism as either incidental without a clear perpetrator or

attributed to a limited, specific group, distancing the law and Court from culpability. The

article asserts that the Court's rhetoric undermines the potential for achieving racial justice,

particularly when it minimizes the dangers of racism (Stanchi, 1300). Stanchi emphasizes the

importance of directly naming racism and calls for a more explicit recognition of the Court's

role in combating racism. The source is valuable for the research as it focuses on the Supreme

Court's language, offering insights into how the Court shapes societal perceptions of racism.

Credibility is established through Stanchi's thorough methodology, involving a

comprehensive analysis of Supreme Court opinions over several decades (1256). In my

research paper, Stanchi's insights will provide a nuanced understanding of how the Supreme

Court addresses racism. This aligns with my thesis on persistent racial disparities despite

legislative interventions, offering a critical perspective on the Court's language and its impact

on racial justice efforts. The source's credibility is underscored by its 2021 publication in a

legal journal and the author's rigorous methodology in scrutinizing Supreme Court opinions.

The source upholds high credibility per the CRAP test. Published in 2021, it ensures

currency, appearing in a legal journal establishes authority and reliability. The article's

purpose is evident—to analyze and critique the Supreme Court's rhetoric on racism,

contributing to the academic discourse on racial justice. The extensive methodology

involving Westlaw searches enhances the source's validity, ensuring a thorough examination

of relevant references.