Sociologist Jason Arday recently sat down with author Harshad Keval to discuss his book, “White Narcissism in the Academy.” As one of the two editors for Sage’s Social Science for Social Justice book series, Arday was eager to delve into the topics and insights presented in Keval’s book.
The interview began with Arday asking Keval about his motivation for writing the book. Keval shared that his personal experiences as a person of color in academia sparked his interest in exploring the concept of white narcissism. He observed that the academic world is often dominated by white voices and perspectives, and this can lead to a sense of entitlement and superiority among white academics.
Keval’s book delves into the ways in which white narcissism manifests in the academy, and how it impacts marginalized communities. He explains that white narcissists often use their privilege and power to silence and dismiss the voices of people of color, perpetuating a system of oppression that benefits them. This can be seen in the lack of diversity in academic curriculums, the underrepresentation of people of color in leadership positions, and the persistent discrimination faced by minority academics.
Arday and Keval also discussed the role of white guilt in perpetuating white narcissism. Keval explains that many white academics may feel guilty about their privilege and attempt to make amends by engaging in tokenistic acts of diversity and inclusion. However, this only serves to further center white voices and maintain the status quo.
The conversation then turned to the impact of white narcissism on students of color. Keval highlights the damaging effects of constantly being in spaces where one’s identity is not represented or valued. He also discusses the pressure faced by students of color to conform to the dominant white culture in order to succeed in academia.
In his book, Keval also addresses the issue of performative allyship among white academics. He argues that performative allyship, where white individuals claim to support marginalized communities but do not take concrete actions to challenge the system, is a form of white narcissism. It allows white individuals to maintain their privilege while appearing to be “on the right side.”
Arday and Keval also discussed the importance of decolonizing the curriculum in order to challenge white narcissism in the academy. Keval emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives and voices to be included in academic curriculums, as well as the need for critical reflection on the ways in which knowledge is produced and disseminated.
The interview concluded with Keval sharing his hopes for the impact of his book. He hopes that it will spark critical conversations and self-reflection among white academics, and ultimately lead to meaningful change in the academy.
In conclusion, Harshad Keval’s book, “White Narcissism in the Academy,” sheds light on an important and often overlooked issue in academia. By exploring the ways in which white narcissism manifests in the academy, Keval challenges readers to critically examine their own privilege and complicity in maintaining a system that benefits white individuals at the expense of marginalized communities. This book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversations surrounding diversity and social justice in the academic world.
