5: Racial Identity

In this chapter, the focus is on the development of racial identity. Many benefit from self-imposed colorblindness without understanding, questioning, or resisting the mechanisms that maintain White supremacy. In the absence of awareness, White racial identity does not rise above a base level. However, by choosing to see race, White people begin to recognize their own racial identity. The vignette reflects how White identity is becoming more visible. From there, each begins to understand how White identities fit in a racially stratified society. Such understanding strengthens with continued development. Janet Helms' Racial Identity Theory is the most often cited model of racial identity development and an essential reference point for future work. Racial Identity Theory includes White and People of Color (POC) identity development and an interactive model. In addition, because of its important contributions, attention to context, and stable factors in identity development, the chapter concludes with an overview of Robert Sellers' Multidimensional Identity Theory.