Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism
By Derrick Bell (Basic Books, 1992)
Historical and ongoing racism impact American education both directly and indirectly today. From segregation at the inception of public schooling, to championing of the dominant culture through standardized assessment, student tracking, and teacher evaluation systems — racism impacts the way we structure, measure, and plan for education systems. As such, understanding racism is imperative for understanding how to improve our educational systems.
As a white woman, I will never fully comprehend the experience of racism. However, as a researcher who wishes to use my work to push for more equitable and socially just systems, I must improve my understanding of the experiences of people of color. One way to inform this understanding is by reading works from scholars of color.
One of the most seminal pieces in my journey toward understanding racism has been Faces at the Bottom of the Well. In this book, distinguished legal scholar Derrick Bell masterfully uses allegorical storytelling to illuminate societal racism. Accessible and engaging to broad audiences, Faces at the Bottom of the Well serves as a catalyst for provoking thoughts, stirring emotions, and stimulating action to address racism. It is a must-read for those in pursuit of socially just, equitable education systems.
This article appears in the March 2024 issue of Kappan, Vol. 105, No. 6, p. 7.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arielle Lentz
ARIELLE LENTZ is a doctoral student at the University of Delaware, Newark.
