By: Rachel Ruff
Durham, NC — Dr. Adam Hollowell, a senior researcher affiliated with the Duke University Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, recently delivered a guest lecture for Dr. Kunfeng Pan’s class at Renmin University of China. Dr. Hollowell’s December 4 lecture, titled “Understanding Whiteness,” explored several key concepts related to the construct of whiteness and its impact on society. ̶
The presentation included references to various thinkers and their works, such as Katrine Marçal’s Who Cooked Adam Smith’s Dinner (2012), Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me (2015), Cheryl Harris’ “Whiteness as Property” (1993), and Willie James Jennings’ “Race and the Educated Imagination” (2016) and After Witness: An Education in Belonging (2020). These references helped illustrate the complex interplay between whiteness, societal structures, and historical contexts.
The event also marked a reciprocal academic exchange, as Dr. Pan had previously delivered a lecture to Dr. Hollowell’s Duke University class. (Readers interested in Dr. Pan’s lecture and its contents can find more information here.) This exchange of ideas between the two universities is a testament to the value of international collaboration in academia and underscores the importance of engaging in global conversations on race and inequality. They not only provide educational insights but also encourage a deeper understanding of social equity issues. Such discussions are vital for addressing the challenges faced in modern societies and for advancing the cause of social justice worldwide.
Dr. Hollowell’s lecture at Renmin University, in conjunction with Dr. Pan’s participation at Duke University, represents a significant step in promoting international academic collaboration and enhancing the dialogue on social equity and race relations.
Dr. Hollowell serves as a Senior Researcher at the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, Director of the Inequality Studies Minor, and Director of the Global Inequality Research Initiative at Duke University. Dr. Hollowell’s academic efforts span across multiple departments at Duke University, including the Kenan Institute for Ethics, the Program in Education, the Department of History, and the Sanford School of Public Policy. He is also the co-author of “You Mean It or You Don’t: James Baldwin’s Radical Challenge” (Broadleaf Books, 2022).
For more information about Dr. Adam Hollowell and his work, please visit his profile on the Scholars@Duke website and the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University website.
