Table Of ContentTwo fundamental and underlying principles drive White Evolution. The first is that evolution
means constant movement in the fight against the virus of White supremacy. If the virus is W WHITE EVOLUTION
evolving rapidly, then our critical consciousness needs to evolve faster in order to outpace the
H
supremacy. The second is that this evolution is not an individual act—it must be done in commu-
I
T
nity. The genetic makeup of human beings points to the necessity of interdependence. Growth E
and development do not lead to a solitary life so much as to being a dependable person rooted
E
in community. The origin of White supremacy, on the other hand, is in reproducing uniformity V
and eradicating diversity. In an ecological framework, uniformity and monoculture is harmful O The Constant Struggle for
L
to an ecosystem that needs diversity of thought, creativity, culture, perspective, history, and U
economy to survive. The White supremacy intended to “preserve the race” has created an endur- T Racial Consciousness
I
ing system of violence against people of color and is simultaneously hurting the endurability of O
N
humanity in exchange for the immediate gains of supremacy.
The book, White Evolution, recounts the historical movement toward supremacy and casts the
possibility of a White evolution toward racial justice through collective critical consciousness. The
constant struggle for racial consciousness has no arrival point. White consciousness will never
be woke because there is no past tense and no plateau. When privilege and supremacy are akin
to a constantly evolving and insidious virus (Whitefluenza), the antidote is to outpace White
evolution for supremacy with a White evolution for racial justice. This is not an individual task,
but rather a systemic redesign and reconstruction of social systems requiring the cultivation of
a collective critical consciousness. White Evolution covers a great deal of historical detail and
contemporary examples to explain and explore new possibilities for recognizing the importance
of the interdependence of humanity. C
h
r
i
s
Christopher S. Collins is an associate professor of higher education at to
Azusa Pacific University. He earned a Ph.D. in higher education and p
h
organizational change at UCLA. e
r
S
.
C
o
l
l
i
n
s
a
n
Alexander Jun is a professor of higher education at Azusa Pacific Uni-
d
versity. He earned a Ph.D. in higher education at the Rossier School
A
of Education at the University of Southern California. l
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a
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d
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Christopher S. Collins and
Alexander Jun
www.peterlang.com
9781433176081_cvr_eu_SC.indd All Pages 03-Jun-20 17:32:05
Two fundamental and underlying principles drive White Evolution. The first is that evolution
means constant movement in the fight against the virus of White supremacy. If the virus is W WHITE EVOLUTION
evolving rapidly, then our critical consciousness needs to evolve faster in order to outpace the
H
supremacy. The second is that this evolution is not an individual act—it must be done in commu-
I
T
nity. The genetic makeup of human beings points to the necessity of interdependence. Growth E
and development do not lead to a solitary life so much as to being a dependable person rooted
E
in community. The origin of White supremacy, on the other hand, is in reproducing uniformity V
and eradicating diversity. In an ecological framework, uniformity and monoculture is harmful O The Constant Struggle for
L
to an ecosystem that needs diversity of thought, creativity, culture, perspective, history, and U
economy to survive. The White supremacy intended to “preserve the race” has created an endur- T Racial Consciousness
I
ing system of violence against people of color and is simultaneously hurting the endurability of O
N
humanity in exchange for the immediate gains of supremacy.
The book, White Evolution, recounts the historical movement toward supremacy and casts the
possibility of a White evolution toward racial justice through collective critical consciousness. The
constant struggle for racial consciousness has no arrival point. White consciousness will never
be woke because there is no past tense and no plateau. When privilege and supremacy are akin
to a constantly evolving and insidious virus (Whitefluenza), the antidote is to outpace White
evolution for supremacy with a White evolution for racial justice. This is not an individual task,
but rather a systemic redesign and reconstruction of social systems requiring the cultivation of
a collective critical consciousness. White Evolution covers a great deal of historical detail and
contemporary examples to explain and explore new possibilities for recognizing the importance
of the interdependence of humanity. C
h
r
i
s
Christopher S. Collins is an associate professor of higher education at to
Azusa Pacific University. He earned a Ph.D. in higher education and p
h
organizational change at UCLA. e
r
S
.
C
o
l
l
i
n
s
a
n
Alexander Jun is a professor of higher education at Azusa Pacific Uni-
d
versity. He earned a Ph.D. in higher education at the Rossier School
A
of Education at the University of Southern California. l
e
x
a
n
d
e
r
J
u
n
Christopher S. Collins and
Alexander Jun
www.peterlang.com
03-Jun-20 17:32:05
Advance Praise for
White Evolution: The Constant Struggle
for Racial Consciousness
“My first reaction upon reading the introduction to White Evolution was ‘wow’ because
even though I still had much work to do I could not stop myself from reading. There is a lot
of talk about diversity, inclusivity, and equity but hardly any talk about the many ways in
which Whiteness is implicated in the structures, practices, and mindsets. White Evolution
shows the many sides of Whiteness illustrated with compelling stories that make it hard to
stop reading. The authors also share their own personal experiences with Whiteness which
will help readers understand their own fears and apprehensions and learn to see and talk
about Whiteness naturally. This is an excellent book for higher education practitioners
and leaders.”
—Estela Mara Bensimon, Ph.D.
Professor, University of Southern California
“White Evolution tackles some of the most urgent social and political issues of our time.
Grounded in rich historical context and complex critical analysis, this book provides
a powerful discussion of the evolution of White racial consciousness. It is a must-read
for anyone seeking to understand how race and Whiteness operate and how we can
collectively evolve to produce a more racially equitable society.”
—Samuel D. Museus, Ph.D.
Professor, University of California, San Diego
White Evolution
This book is part of the Peter Lang Education list.
Every volume is peer reviewed and meets the highest
quality standards for content and production.
PETER LANG
New York • Bern • Berlin
Brussels • Vienna • Oxford • Warsaw
Christopher S. Collins and Alexander Jun
White Evolution
The Constant Struggle for Racial
Consciousness
PETER LANG
New York • Bern • Berlin
Brussels • Vienna • Oxford • Warsaw
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020937507
Bibliographic information published by Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek.
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the “Deutsche
Nationalbibliografie”; detailed bibliographic data are available
on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de/.
ISBN 978-1-4331-7607-4 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4331-7608-1 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-4331-7609-8 (ebook pdf)
ISBN 978-1-4331-7610-4 (epub)
ISBN 978-1-4331-7611-1 (mobi)
DOI 10.3726/b16361
Cover images: engraving: ©iStock.com/bauhaus1000; brain: ©iStock.com/Ryzhi
© 2020 Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., New York
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All rights reserved.
Reprint or reproduction, even partially, in all forms such as microfilm,
xerography, microfiche, microcard, and offset strictly prohibited.
We dedicate this book to our family and friends, who provided just the right
amount of challenge and support we needed to accomplish this worthwhile
endeavor.
For Kristy, Mateo, and Adela:
May we be peacemakers, justice-seekers, and messengers.
—Christopher S. Collins
For Jeany, Natalia, Isaiah, and Jeremiah: Do justice. Love mercy. Walk
humbly.
—Alexander Jun
We would also like to dedicate this work to the Social Justice and Diversity
Fellowship recipients at the Ph.D. program in higher education at Azusa
Pacific University. All of the author proceeds from this publication will go to
enhance the fellowship program to support students pursuing doctoral stud-
ies and pursuing social justice.
