The Center for the Study of White American Culture
Photo courtesy of Charley Flint and Jeff Hitchcock
Charley Flint (left) and Jeff Hitchcock.
The Center for the Study of White American Culture (CSWAC) “does not advocate for white people or white culture in the sense of a political advocacy group with a goal of increasing white power,” they explain on their website. “Instead, we advocate for a multiracial society that we believe is to everyone’s benefit.”
Charley Flint and Jeff Hitchcock, an interracial couple with an interest racial justice and equity, are the co-founders of CSWAC. Among the inherent goals are de-centering whiteness, normalizing conversations about race, and helping to establish a multiracial community.
Charley Flint, Ph.D., is Professor of Sociology at William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey. Flint was the first black woman to receive a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from Rutgers University in 1981, where she was an active participant in the development of the Women’s Studies Program.
Jeff Hitchcock recently retired as Executive Director of CSWAC. He has authored several articles and a book titled “Lifting the White Veil: A Look at White American Culture.” Jeff received his Master of Business Administration from the Stern School of Business, New York University, and his Master of Science in Social and Personality Psychology from Rutgers University.
Ken Bedell and I had an insightful conversation with them in April 2024. Their responses to the questions about the work of CSWAC since its founding in 1995 were enlightening and encouraging. Based on the name, there is often the perception that CSWAC is a white supremacist group. They say, “Our name is part of our work.” CSWAC started white anti-racist work before there was helpful language to describe white identity in constructive ways. This anti-racist, multicultural organization promotes a model in which white people can be aware of race and name it for the purpose of working for racial justice.
CSWAC offers workshops, staff training, and presentations on the topics of whiteness, white privilege, white American culture, and what white people can do to help foster a multiracial society.
Ending Racism USA is looking forward to identifying ways to work with CSWAC. The second annual CSWAC Conference on Building Anti-Racist Multiracial Community will be held at Rutgers Law School in Newark, New Jersey, September 27-29, 2024. Mark your calendar and, in the meantime, let’s keep talking about race!