Race at Predominantly White Independent Schools : The Space between Diversity and Equity

In this book, French compares the “well-meaning” intensions of “diversity” in independent schools with the continued dominance of whiteness in these institutions. Using mixed methods and a Critical Race Theory frame, French argues that “diversity” serves only to strengthen the status quo of educational segregation between Black and White.

In Race at Predominantly White Independent Schools, Bonnie E. French investigates the management of “diversity” at predominantly White, independent schools in the northeastern United States. By conducting in-depth interviews with diversity policy developers and implementers within the independent school community, French explores current efforts toward racial equity and the relationship between racial equity and diversity. Data collected from interviews are supplemented with numerical data from the National Association of Independent Schools that chronicles enrollment and employment of people of color, as well as with content analysis of published materials from the independent school community. Using Critical Race Theory to frame this critique, French argues that the diversity movement, by not seeking to challenge the current state of inequality in a meaningful way, only serves to strengthen the segregated and unequal status quo.