Abstract

Most recent work on antiracist leadership addresses racism as either personal bias or as social construction or as both working together. Their analysis and suggestions for action are important and valuable, worthy of inclusion and appreciation, but ultimately incomplete. Many of them fail to address racism effectively as an ideology, something more than personal failing and structural discrimination. The ones that do so link it to other ideologies, such as capitalism and colonialism, as a modifier rather than an ideology in its own right. Their emphasis on relationship and collaboration are all necessary and worthwhile contributions, yet they take as given a world constructed by “race” and develop strategies and tools to cope with racism and reduce its impact on disadvantaged and discriminated against groups. Seeing beyond personal bias and social construction, without discarding them as insightful and useful modes of analysis and action, is necessary in order to get to the roots of racism and its destructive effects. Only when the ideology of racism is clearly seen and confronted head-on can progress be made.