Avoiding Racial Equity Detours (PDF)

School leaders committed to bringing racial equity must ask why educators in schools who advocate fiercely for equity often feel isolated or face repercussions, while educators who are reluctant to make change for equity are rarely challenged. Gorski, who has decades of experience working for school-based equity, says most racial-equity efforts in schools are derailed by four "equity detours": pacing for privilege (the comfort of teachers threatened by equity issues is prioritized over progressing quickly); poverty of culture (racist actions and inequities connected to racism are talked about only as "cultural" issues); adopting a deficit ideology; and celebrating diversity (a focus on celebrations that help white or privileged students learn about other cultures and races without confronting racism). To avoid these detours, Gorski recommends school leaders adopt five general principles of "equity literacy."