How Design Thinking Protects White Supremacy

“White supremacy culture is the ideology that white people and the ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions of white people are superior to People of Color and their ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions. White supremacy culture is reproduced by all the institutions of our society” (Dismantling Racism).

Believing that “Systems produce what they were designed to produce.” (National Equity Project), it is essential that we examine the many values + narratives that inform decision-making of people who hold power to affect outcomes - which includes each of us.

Building upon the work of Dismantling Racism, together we will dive deeper into defining white supremacy and how it shows up in our behaviors, explore how white supremacy is upheld in the ideologies and practices of design thinking, and examine how we might shift mindsets to more equitable, diverse, and inclusive practice.

Intended for those in the beginning stages of learning about white supremacy culture and curious about its connection to design, in this 2.5-hour virtual learning engagement, learners will:

• Be introduced to multiple definitions and perspectives of common terms (design, design thinking, white supremacy) in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their potential impact(s)

• Interrogate and challenge how they may be complicit in reinforcing white supremacy culture through their actions.

• Reflect on their experiences of white supremacy culture + design thinking with other learners.

• Determine opportunities and plans to challenge white supremacy culture in their design practice.