Harvard Graduate School of Education

Beyond the Doll Tests | Gutman Library Hybrid Book Talk

The Harvard Education Press book talk introduced Dr. Cheryl Holcomb‑McCoy’s new title, *Beyond the Doll Tests*, which revisits the classic Clark doll experiments to examine how anti‑Black racism still shapes K‑12 schooling. Holcomb‑McCoy, a former kindergarten teacher, counselor, and current AACTE president, frames the work as both personal memoir and evidence‑based guide for teachers, counselors, and leaders. The conversation highlighted three core insights: the original doll test revealed a racial hierarchy that persists in subtle classroom decisions; modern replication studies confirm that Black children still internalize inferiority cues; and affirmative, strength‑based practices can counteract these harms. The book blends historical analysis—from Jim Crow to post‑Brown integration—with actionable strategies such as culturally responsive pedagogy and intentional affirmation. Holcomb‑McCoy illustrated her points with vivid anecdotes: a white third‑grade teacher who affirmed her, the 1972 integration of Hampton, Virginia schools, and the ongoing shortage of Black teachers who feel devalued. She also referenced Black psychologists like Asa Hilliard, whose early work warned that trauma from slavery and segregation demands deliberate healing in schools. The implications are clear: educators must move beyond deficit framing, embed affirmation into daily practice, and confront policy pushes that threaten DEI initiatives. As anti‑DEI sentiment rises, the book serves as a roadmap for sustaining equity and improving Black students’ well‑being.