An English course offered this semester at ASU is stirring up a lot of controversy. The course, titled “U.S. Race Theory & the Problem of Whiteness” has received a criticism for its title, which is viewed by some as characterizing an entire race as being a problem.
ASU provided a statement on the class which reads in part, “This course uses literature and rhetoric to look at how stories shape people’s understandings and experiences of race. It encourages students to examine how people talk about – or avoid talking about – race in the contemporary United States.” It then goes on to say, “The class is designed to empower students to confront the difficult and often thorny issues that surround us today and reach thoughtful conclusions rather than display gut reactions.”
I’m speaking with David Hinds, an associate professor in the School of Social Transformation at ASU about why it’s so difficult to talk about issues of race and racism.