"This Is the Reality of the World. . . ." Racial Protection as Participation: Counterstories of Black Families

• In Event: Park Central Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Advocating for Marginalized Families and Communities

Abstract

We highlight a critical qualitative study using critical race theory focused on parental participation of 16 sets of Black families. Sets described their participation as Black parents in their child’s education. Counterstories revealed racism experienced by students impacted participation, which was primarily grounded in safeguarding children. Findings expand the concept of racial protectionism (Mazama & Lundy, 2012) to parents implementing school and home level strategies as a means of protecting children from school-related racism. Additionally, out-of-school contexts (e.g. police-involved killings) ignited racial protection as participation. Because endemic racism impacted participation in schools, a discussion on possible frameworks that may assist in understanding the critical strength of racial protectionism as participation among Black families are offered (critical race parenting, motherwork, fatherwork).

Authors

• Jada A Phelps-Moultrie, Michigan State University

• Jomo W. Mutegi, Indiana University - IUPUI