Fall / Winter 2017

Centering Equity

Leading the Way in Higher Education

Equity is not the same as equality,
diversity or inclusiveness. It is not about espousing policies intended
to benefit all students. Practices
that work well for white students
may be harmful to students of color
and perpetuate inequality.

Rossier Professor Estela Mara
Bensimon, director of the Center for
Urban Education, coined the term
“equity-minded” to describe what it
is to be “critically race-conscious as
opposed to colorblind.” Being equityminded,
she says, “means being
cognizant of how racism is produced
through everyday practices and
having the courage to make racism
visible and discussable.”