Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Misread intentions are not an excuse for racist statements

Black women hearing racist comments

"Some of the commonly heard phrases with problematic intentions are: 'calm down,' 'breathe,' and 'you are overthinking,'" writes Sennet. "Such dismissive phrases can have a detrimental effect on well-being."

nicoletaionescu/Getty Images

Sennet is an associate dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion and an associate professor of piano at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a public voices fellow with The OpEd Project.

“But that wasn’t my intention.” “I am a good person.” “I am not racist.”

As a Black female classical pianist who also serves as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and access administrator in higher education, I frequently hear of people’s “good intentions” when they make overtly racist statements in both arenas.

As an educator for more than 15 years, I am still discouraged by how often people quickly leap to such a declaration – also a microaggression – as a means of avoiding responsibility. Rather than facing the truth of their words’ impact, they would rather minimize the experience, avoid confronting biases and instead question my credentials.


I am consistently on the receiving end of the specific phrase, “That wasn’t my intention,” within both higher education and arts circles. These encounters are what author Robin DiAngelo identifies in her 2021 book, “Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racist Harm.”

Despite being often overlooked, many women of color in academia are told to “let it go.” Some of the commonly heard phrases with problematic intentions are: “calm down,” “breathe,” and “you are overthinking.” Such dismissive phrases can have a detrimental effect on well-being.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

My experience is as a Black female, but the transgressions I refer to apply to many forms of discrimination whether perpetrated against people because of their race, religion, gender, sexual identity or ethnicity. A survey by the Pew Research Center indicates the trends that can be seen with Black, Latinx and Asian people. Sadly, what is missing from this survey: discrimination against those who are Muslim, Jewish, LGBTQIA+ and women.

A new study by McKinsey reveals that “microaggressions have a large and lasting impact on women.” Fewer faculty of color are promoted, and less frequently, than white faculty in academia.

A 2023 Boston University study shows that Black women who perceive racism on a regular basis are 38 percent more likely to have a stroke.

Having to witness others’ defensiveness is frustrating and does not move the conversation forward. Whether or not someone is a “good person” or “not racist” is of little consequence during these moments. This makes it difficult for many faculty of color and artists to wonder when and if advocating for ourselves is the best course in every situation.

Historically, Black women are advised by family members, friends, mentors,and colleagues to be strong and refrain from showing emotions in the face of racism. Clinical psychologist Inger Burnett-Zeigler, a member of the Northwestern University faculty, highlights the many difficulties that Black women experience in her book, “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women,” and provides recommendations for healing and self-care.

Burnett-Zeigler also affirms that microaggressions, “everyday, subtle, intentional and sometimes unintentional interactions or behaviors that communicate racism and discrimination,” are among the many stressors.

Research shows the topic of intentions is philosophical and complex.

Stating one’s “good intentions” is a mere excuse that attempts to re-center the conversation from the injured party to the one responsible for injury. Claiming to be one of the “good white people” also tends to absolve people of listening to feedback and changing behavior.

As someone who frequently performs music by Black composers, it is troublesome when I am always expected to be “rapidly on call” to educate others, usually in passing before another person’s performance or talk.

It is equally hurtful when I respond to someone who notes whether I am smiling at a faculty meeting. I was once unjustly removed from a teaching duty – by email – without due process. Despite being reinstated years later, people’s “intentions” still led to me being excluded and unfairly treated. At the very least, these incidents have been demeaning and patronizing.

Statements of problematic intentions are the ultimate excuses, and many educators, students and artists of color suffer the negative impact.

In their 2015 book, “Despite the Best Intentions: How Racial Inequality Thrives in Good Schools,” authors Amanda E. Lewis and John B. Diamond highlight the many concerns of inequality that arise in the K-12 school system despite attempts to change.

Similarly, Black artists continue to be underrepresented in orchestras — less than 2 percent of performers – despite increased awareness and the best intentions.

Both diverse arts programming and interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education are a start to building more awareness of equity and belonging.

However, simply boasting of including one Black composer on a concert program if the composer or their story remains unnamed or unrecognized has limited impact. University administrators also need to consider working towards fostering a sense of belonging in the classroom, faculty meetings and informal spaces.

Sure, we are all human beings. Misunderstandings can occur and making mistakes is a part of everyone’s human experience. However, simply defaulting to “intentions” as a defense mechanism prevents people from understanding the complicity of racism and sexism as well as working towards addressing and changing behavior.

To raise awareness of the many forms of racism, there must be ongoing awareness through personal or group reflection as well as checking in with colleagues and students. Recent research reveals the importance of acknowledging our true selves.

Meaningless intentions are hurtful. It is meaningful when people sit with the discomfort of being called out on harmful intentions before acting on trying to absolve themselves.

Yes, it can be very uncomfortable to be called out. Instead of defaulting to intention, it is better to take a step back and listen to what the other person is saying. The hope is that there is a willingness to address hurtful words or actions. Acknowledgement is a start, and it is one way in which trust can be restored.

Read More

Future of the National Museum of the American Latino is Uncertain

PRESENTE! A Latino History of the United States

Credit: National Museum of the American Latino

Future of the National Museum of the American Latino is Uncertain

The American Museum of the Latino faces more hurdles after over two decades of advocacy.

Congress passed legislation to allow for the creation of the Museum, along with the American Women’s History Museum, as part of the Smithsonian Institution in an online format. Five years later, new legislation introduced by Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) wants to build a physical museum for both the Latino and women’s museums but might face pushback due to a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fairness, Not Stigma, for Transgender Athletes

People running.

Getty Images, Pavel1964

Fairness, Not Stigma, for Transgender Athletes

President Trump’s campaign and allies spent $21 million of campaign spending on attack ads against transgender people. With that level of spending, I was shocked to find out it was not a top concern for voters of either party, but it continued to prevail as a campaign priority.

Opponents of transgender participation in sports continue to voice their opinions, three months into the Trump presidency. Just last month, the Trump administration suspended $175 million in federal funding to Penn State over a transgender swimmer. $175 million is a bit dramatic over one swimmer, or in the case of the entire NCAA, fewer than 10 athletes. Even Governor Gavin Newsom was recently under fire for sharing his views on his podcast. Others, like Rep. Nancy Mace, have also caught on to the mediagenic nature of transphobia right now. “You want penises in women's bathrooms, and I'm not going to have it,” she said in a U.S. House hearing last month. I had no clue who Nancy Mace was prior to her notorious views on LGBTQ+ rights. Frankly, her flip from being a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights to shouting “Tr**ny” in a hearing seems less like a change of opinion and more of a cry for attention.

Keep ReadingShow less
Banned Books Damn Our Children's Future

Two children reading in school.

Getty Images, Jim Craigmyle

Banned Books Damn Our Children's Future

April 2nd is International Children's Book Day. It is time to celebrate the transformative power of children's literature and mourn the spaces where stories once lived. The numbers are staggering: there were over 10,000 book bans in U.S. public schools during the 2023-2024 school year alone, affecting more than 4,000 unique titles. Each banned book represents a mirror taken away from a child who might have seen themselves in those pages or a window closed to a child who might have glimpsed a world beyond their own.

I'm a child of the 80s and 90s, back when PBS was basically raising us all. Man, LeVar Burton's voice on Reading Rainbow was like that cool uncle who always knew exactly what book you needed. Remember him saying, "But you don't have to take my word for it"? And Sesame Street—that show was living proof that a kid from the Bronx could learn alongside a kid from rural Kansas, no questions asked. These and other such programs convinced an entire generation that we could "go anywhere" and "be anything.” Also, they were declarations that every child deserves to see themselves in stories, to dream in technicolor, and to imagine futures unlimited by the accidents of birth or circumstance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Storytelling that exposes injustices and inspires equity
- YouTube

Storytelling that exposes injustices and inspires equity

Stephanie R. Toliver is an Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction focusing on English Education and Adolescent/Secondary Literacy.

In her research, Toliver employs creativity and imagination to confront systemic inequities and promote more equitable education environments.

Keep ReadingShow less