Race, Imposter Thoughts, and Healing

This chapter is concerned with acknowledging the mental health issues that Black men face in higher education. Research is presented and blended with lived experiences of being a full-time employee and doctoral student on a primarily white campus. This chapter focuses on the emotional trauma of Black men, imposter phenomenon traits, and offers strategies for healing from critical race theorist. Strategies to keep higher education institutions accountable for the hiring and retaining of Black men are also discussed.

Toxic Cities: Neoliberalism and Environmental Racism in Flint and Detroit Michigan

The consequences of neoliberal colorblind policies concerning environmental justice in Michigan are explored using critical race theorist Alan Freeman’s victim and perpetrator perspectives on legal decision-making. The victim perspective allows evidence of disparate impact to be proof of unequal protection under the law. The dominant perpetrator perspective requires proof of the intent to discriminate for a racial discrimination claim to be valid. Michigan’s environmental legal history is examined through the lens of these two perspectives, tracing how Michigan as a state, with the aid of the federal government, has institutionalized a racialized caste system of ‘worthiness’ for environmental protection through strict adherence to the perpetrator perspective. Specific attention is paid to the water crisis in Flint and a Marathon Oil refinery in Detroit. The injustices occurring at these locations are less the result of racist individuals than the product of decades of neoliberal colorblind policymaking supported and upheld in our court rooms.