"The Danger of a Single Story": Language Politics in Framing Black Immigrant Achievement

• In Event: 14.045 - Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: 14.045-4 - Diverse Student Experiences Along the K–16 Pipeline

Abstract

The Black immigrant population in the United States has experienced rapid growth over the past 20 years (Hernandez, 2012; Wilson, 2003). The single story framing Black immigrants' academic achievements has been used by researchers to position them as model minorities in comparison to native-born African Americans (Bennett & Lutz, 2009; Massey, Mooney, Torres, & Charles, 2007). Current studies provide a relatively simplistic portrait of the students’ academic experiences and ignore the complexities of their transitions, identities, and cultures. Drawing from qualitative data sources, this paper highlights issues and challenges experienced by African and Caribbean students as they consider access to and matriculation through education institutions.

Authors

• Janet T. Awokoya, Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute

• Chonika Coleman King, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville