C.W. Post Professor Collaborates on Book Exploring
Power, Knowledge and Anti-Racism

Brookville, N.Y. - Whether expressed as a blatant utterance or a subtle stereotypical slight, the language of racism is always venomous.  To this end, “The Poetics of Anti-Racism,” a compelling new book written by C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University Professor Nuzhat Amin, assistant professor in the School of Education, and George J. Sefa Dei, a professor at the University of Toronto, examines linguistic racism and the centrality of language in the discourse of anti-racism. The book also explores issues emerging from language including multilingualism, environmental learning differences and challenges, and language bias and teacher education.

A chapter, titled “Language, Race and Anti-Racism,” offers a descriptive overview of how language has been a medium of social control in the educational system. In addition to race, educators can use language to stereotype minority students, for example, by placing immigrant students in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. Yet despite the good intentions of many teachers, children set apart in this way typically become academically disadvantaged in an environment that breeds a gamut of consequent emotional, social and psychological ramifications.

The Poetics of Anti-Racism addresses how language is used and how, particularly in that usage, race and racism are expressed in everyday practice. Even when racial issues are grudgingly acknowledged, the politics of moral distancing apparent in the predominant body regularly come into play via the “race card” and through pronouncements of merit, excellence and meritocracy borne out of a skewed sense of entitlement.

The Poetics of Anti-Racism challenges readers to engage in a powerful journey of real and meaningful change through the poetics of words and action which ultimately give voice to the limitless possibilities of change. The book is available for $19.95 through the Fernwood Publishing Web site at: www.publishing.ca.

Posted: December 21, 2006