Context, Consequences and Change

Whiteness History Month: Context, Consequences and Change is a multidisciplinary, district-wide, educational project examining race and racism through an exploration of the construction of whiteness, its origins and heritage. Scheduled for the month of April 2016, the project seeks to inspire innovative and practical solutions to community issues and social problems that stem from racism.

What is Whiteness History Month?

Description of Project

Whiteness History Month Project, unlike heritage months, is not a celebratory endeavor. It is an effort to change our campus climate. The Project seeks to challenge the master narrative of race and racism through an exploration of the social construction of whiteness. Challenging the master narrative of traditional curriculum is a strategy within higher education that promotes multicultural education and equity.

Portland Community College’s strategic plan calls for "intentional action" to "create a nationally renowned culture for diversity, equity, and inclusion."

Process and Structure

WHM is a project of the Cascade DC’s Campus Climate Sub-committee. Given the history of co-opting grassroots “diversity initiatives” at PCC, WHM will remain under the purview of the Cascade DC’s Campus Climate Sub-committee. A representative from each campus’ DC was invited to join the CA DC’s Campus Climate Sub-committee for the purposes of planning and implementing WHM.