Defusing Land Mines: Keywords About Race in Nursing Education

The call for nurse educators to facilitate conversations about racism with learners has become inescapable. Yet, nurse educators in the United States indicate they feel unprepared or uncomfortable leading classroom conversations about race.

Keyword analysis maps the multiple meanings of vocabulary, creating a common foundation for productive dialogue. Selection of keywords is subjective, but each keyword must meet three criteria: a term that is in common use, definitions that change according to time and perspective, and use that illuminates larger phenomena.

Five keywords when teaching about racism are Caucasian, colorblind, diversity, reverse racism, and underrepresented minority. Each keyword carries connotations that may be perceived as upholding egalitarian ideals without acknowledging the pernicious mechanisms of racism itself.

Familiarity with keywords provides educators with solid ground for engaging in often ambiguous and troubling dialogues about racism. [.