Course info

"How to Be Less Stupid About Race" by Crystal Fleming is your essential guide to breaking through the half-truths and ridiculous misconceptions that have thoroughly corrupted the way race is represented in the classroom, pop culture, media, and politics. Centuries after our nation was founded on genocide, settler colonialism, and slavery, many Americans are waking up to the reality that our racial politics are (still) garbage. But in the midst of this reckoning, widespread denial and misunderstandings about race persist, even as white supremacy and racial injustice are more visible than ever before. Drawing upon critical race theory, as well as her own experiences as a queer black millennial college professor and researcher, Fleming unveils how systemic racism exposes us all to racial ignorance—and provides a road map for transforming our knowledge into concrete social change.

The meeting time will last an hour and be determined based on participants' schedules. Discussion questions will be presented by the moderator for each meeting. Participants are encouraged to bring their own questions to the group as well.

Note: Participants must plan to attend all three session meetings in order to receive a complimentary copy of the book via intercampus mail.

Wednesday, September 1st Introduction: The Origins of Racial Stupidity Chapter One: The Idiot’s Guide to Critical Race Theory Chapter Two: Listen to Black Women

Wednesday, October 6th Chapter Three: On Racial Stupidity in the Obama Era Chapter Four: Trump Country Chapter Five: Fake Racial News

Wednesday, November 3rd Chapter Six: Interracial Love 101 Chapter Seven: Becoming Racially Literate