About the Antiracism Institute

The Antiracism Institute builds on and goes beyond work done at IC and in the Ithaca community regarding diversity, inclusion, and equity. The Institute addresses racism head on and adopts a non-neutral approach in pedagogy, curriculum, campus culture, and community. As Ibram X. Kendi states, “The opposite of ‘racist’ isn’t ‘not racist.’”

The Antiracism Institute is an interdisciplinary learning community of faculty as well as staff who have teaching responsibilities (broadly defined). It is a space for difficult dialogues on race. The Institute runs for a calendar year, typically beginning with a five-week common experience: our 2020 and 2021 cohorts participated in a five-week MOOC (massive open online course) developed at Cornell University, for instance. Then in co-facilitated small groups, participants co-design learning experiences—for example, dialogues, readings, guest facilitators, and workshops—for the remainder of the spring and early fall. Finally, participants develop action plans to bring what they have learned to their departments, schools, and beyond.

The Center provides resources and covers any fees for programs, such as a MOOC.