Leading While Black Amid a Failed Racial Reckoning

Abstract

This study sought to document the culminating lived experiences of Black educational leaders in before and in the aftermath of America’s “racial reckoning.” Interviews with seven Black educational leaders in Texas were conducted and analyzed as part of a more extensive study on school administrators’ perceptions of anti-Black racism. Themes that emerged included the notion of a culture of silence in which Black experiences are routinely dismissed and rendered insignificant, the metaphor of “knees on necks” which illustrates the psychological, curricular, and professional violence enacted on the participants and the students they serve day to day, and lastly, participants described a constant fear of being stereotyped or professional retribution when advocating for racial equity. Implications from this study urge that educational leaders and policymakers take heed and push back against policies that continue to perpetuate systemic racism in educational landscapes.

Plain Language Summary

This study shares the voices of seven Black school leaders in Texas, describing what they have experienced before and after the national focus on racism in 2020. The leaders talked about how their concerns are often ignored, and how they constantly fear being judged or punished for speaking up about racism. Their stories show that racism in schools is still a serious problem. The study calls on school leaders and lawmakers to take action and challenge policies that keep racism in place.