In a world flush with disturbing manifestations of right-wing fanaticism fueled by notions of white supremacy, understanding why some people abandon such notions in pursuit of justice is imperative. Ideological Discomfort Theory suggests discomfort in one’s familial schema of beliefs drives one to purposefully seek disorienting dilemmas to disrupt familial schemas thus permitting a new and comfortable schema to develop. Conversely, those comfortable with familial schemas may be unmoved to change despite the number of incidences or intensity of any disorienting dilemma. This theory further suggests transformative educators’ energies may be best spent providing disorienting dilemmas to those seeking them.

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