Controversial Course on Racial Issues at Brooklyn College
At Brooklyn College, a mandatory class for psychology students is stirring considerable debate. The course, titled Multicultural Counseling and Consultation, includes topics like whiteness, privilege quizzes from Buzzfeed, and discussions on microaggressions, which some educational groups have deemed “deeply divisive.”
As part of the curriculum, students engage in “collective racial healing work” and explore trauma-informed methods to address social injustices. Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker, has conveyed thoughts on the matter, asserting in one of his videos that if white individuals are perceived as the problem, they should also be part of the solution. His comments reveal an opinion that, for him, white privilege allows individuals to navigate life without specific concerns that people of color often face.
Introduced last fall, the course requires students to listen to lectures and participate in reflective activities. One notable exercise involved students identifying microaggressions, with the phrase “I’m not a racist” repeatedly listed as a common option.
In another assignment, students filled out a quiz that asked them to recognize qualities associated with privilege, such as being white or heterosexual. Ryen Staley, a director at Defending Education, expressed concern over this curriculum, arguing that it’s troubling for future school psychologists to go through a program considered to be ideologically charged and divisive.
Activist Peggy McIntosh, a Brooklyn native, characterizes white privilege as an “invisible knapsack” filled with unearned assets that many are unaware of, highlighting a systemic issue that remains largely unrecognized in society.
Further assignments prompted students to reflect on statements surrounding the American Dream, particularly how its attainability might differ for individuals not identified as white. The course addresses a wide range of identity issues, tackling various intersecting grievances, including themes of xenophobia and systemic biases inherent in American society.
As of now, Brooklyn College has not responded to inquiries regarding the class.
Brooklyn College is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.
