Tag Archives: Critical Race Theory

The Emergence of Black Studies

A Brief Genealogy of Resistance

Introduction In a story by Minna Salami (2015) in The Guardian entitled ‘Philosophy Has to be about More than White Men,’ the following claim is made, ‘The campaign to counter the narrow-mindedness of university courses is gathering pace because philosophy should investigate all human existence.’ Salami refers to a 20-minute video with the title Why […]

Full Citation Information:
Peters, M. A. (2023). The Emergence of Black Studies: A Brief Genealogy of Resistance. PESA Agora. https://pesaagora.com/columns/the-emergence-of-black-studies/

Michael A. Peters

Michael A. Peters (FRSNZ, FHSNZ, FPESA) is a globally recognised scholar whose interdisciplinary work spans philosophy of education, political economy and ecological civilisation. He holds the distinction of Emeritus Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U.S.A.), Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University (P.R. China), and Research Associate in the Philosophy Program at Waikato University (New Zealand).

Previously, he served as Distinguished Professor of Education at Beijing Normal University (2018–2024) and held prestigious appointments including Personal Chair at the University of Auckland (2000), Research Chair at the University of Glasgow (2000–2006), Excellence Hire Professor at the University of Illinois (2005–2011), and Professor of Education at the University of Waikato (2011–2018).

A prolific author, Professor Peters has written over 120 books and 500 articles, shaping discourse in educational theory, philosophy, and critical policy studies. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Educational Philosophy and Theory for 25 years and founded multiple international journals, cementing his role as a leader in academic publishing.

His contributions have been honoured with fellowships in the Royal Society of New Zealand (FRSNZ, 2008) and the Humanities Society of New Zealand (FHSNZ, 2006), alongside honorary doctorates from State University of New York (SUNY, 2012) and the University of Aalborg (2015).

His latest research explores post-apocalyptic philosophy and ecological futures, including the forthcoming Civilisational Collapse and the Philosophy of Post-Apocalyptic Survival (Peter Lang, 2025). He is currently editing the Handbook of Ecological Civilization (Springer, 2025), advancing critical dialogues on sustainability and global transformation.

For more on his work, visit: https://michaeladrianpeters.com/

Christian Nationalism

The Chilling Presence of a Post-Digital Anti-Kingdom in America with a White God on Its Side

One of the obstacles in building critical constituencies in our schools that could effectively over time challenge neoliberal capitalism and promote more humane socialist alternatives is the sweetheart deal historically consecrated between capitalism and religion.  Serving as a barrier to much needed debates in our classrooms about the economy, inequality, racism, gender discrimination, racial capitalism, […]

Full Citation Information:
McLaren, P. (2022). Christian Nationalism: The Chilling Presence of a Post-Digital Anti-Kingdom in America with a White God on Its Side. PESA Agora. https://pesaagora.com/columns/christian-nationalism/

Peter McLaren

Peter McLaren is Emeritus Professor at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles. From 2013-2023 he served as Distinguished Professor in Critical Studies, Co-Director and International Ambassador for Global Ethics and Social Justice, The Paulo Freire Democratic Project, Attallah College of Educational Studies, Chapman University, USA.

Mass Violence in America

Lately, I’ve been thinking of the violence that permeates my adopted country, like the filth-scented air that wafts high above a garbage disposal plant. A violence created in a country that has culminated in a mutated Republican Party that has now been hoisted by its own petard, what was left of its humanity fatally wounded by its […]

Full Citation Information:
McLaren, P. (2022). Mass Violence in America. PESA Agora. https://pesaagora.com/columns/mass-violence-in-america/

Peter McLaren

Peter McLaren is Emeritus Professor at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles. From 2013-2023 he served as Distinguished Professor in Critical Studies, Co-Director and International Ambassador for Global Ethics and Social Justice, The Paulo Freire Democratic Project, Attallah College of Educational Studies, Chapman University, USA.

Fascism, the Republican Party of Death, Structural Racism, QAnon, the War in Ukraine and the Coming Metaverse

Are We All Doomed?

Fascism in America Is calling Trump a fascist tantamount to indulging in some kind of essentialist trope? Should we describe him as an authoritarian or para-fascist instead? Is comparing him to Hitler a form of political opportunism or engaging in a strawman argument? Is Trump merely a bloviating apologist for sexism, racism, Islamophobia, white supremacy, […]

Full Citation Information:
McLaren, P. (2022). Fascism, the Republican Party of Death, Structural Racism, QAnon, the War in Ukraine and the Coming Metaverse: Are We All Doomed?. PESA Agora. https://pesaagora.com/columns/fascism-the-republican-party-of-death-structural-racism-qanon-the-war-in-ukraine-and-the-coming-metaverse/

Peter McLaren

Peter McLaren is Emeritus Professor at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles. From 2013-2023 he served as Distinguished Professor in Critical Studies, Co-Director and International Ambassador for Global Ethics and Social Justice, The Paulo Freire Democratic Project, Attallah College of Educational Studies, Chapman University, USA.

The Moral Choices We Make

The Attack on Teaching American History by Americans

In a climate charged with scrutinizing what children are taught in public schools, the current culture wars have seen a resurgence of politicization vaunted into the living rooms of Americans that puts democracy under increasing threat of extinction. Scratch a form of political legislation, and you will find underneath a bevy of congealed cultural artifacts. Opposition […]

Full Citation Information:
McLaren, P. (2022). The Moral Choices We Make: The Attack on Teaching American History by Americans. PESA Agora. https://pesaagora.com/columns/the-moral-choices-we-make/

Peter McLaren

Peter McLaren is Emeritus Professor at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles. From 2013-2023 he served as Distinguished Professor in Critical Studies, Co-Director and International Ambassador for Global Ethics and Social Justice, The Paulo Freire Democratic Project, Attallah College of Educational Studies, Chapman University, USA.