Bad White People: Continuing the Conversation on Whiteness and Identity

Description

In October 2018 at the annual TEDxCharlotte event, principal strategist Travis Jones gave a TED Talk entitled, “Bad White People,” on how whiteness, as an ideology, works in the world. In his talk, he explores how people can move from being non-racist, or “Good White People,” to being anti-racist, or “Bad White People.” He challenges the “false moral choice” white people have been making between staying silent or identifying with overtly racist white nationalists—and asks us to consider a new way. He asks us to be observant, to pay attention to history, to consider the damage that white silence has inflicted on our society, and to become disruptors willing to find our voices and speak out.

In this session, Travis explores what it means to be a BAD white person, with a focus on fostering understanding around whiteness, white identity and power, and strategies for moving from understanding to action.

Learning Outcomes

• Build a greater understanding of white cultural identity
• Address negative effects of white fragility on efforts to have conversations about race in the workplace and to activate white ally-ship
• Center people of color over white feelings of anxiety when creating paths toward racial equity