Developing Carefree Black Girls in a Restrictive World

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Too many educational spaces contribute to the lack of capacity for Black girls to present themselves fully, and fail to effectively support their development when they perform outside of the norm. However, we will explore the ways schools can invest in supporting the development of Black girls using culturally- competent, liberating and loving pedagogies. Our session will explore the following questions: How are Black girls constructing their own identities? What role can schools play in socializing care-free Black girls? What does Black girl/ womanhood look like in the context of anti-Blackness, white supremacy and sexism?

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Examination of Race, Ethnicity, Class, and Gender in Education

Chairs

• Aja Reynolds, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Stephanie Hicks, University of Illinois at Chicago

Papers

• Let Her Be Magical - Aja Reynolds, University of Illinois at Chicago; Stephanie Hicks, University of Illinois at Chicago

• My Hair Is Resistance: Politics of Keeping It Kinky - Crystal T. Laura, Chicago State University

• Dreams for My Daughter - Sophia Duffy, DePaul University