Black Narcissus: The Role and Lived Experience of the Suburban Othermother

• In Event: 43.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: 43.078-2 - If Anybody Asks You Who I Am: Black and Indigenous Teacher Identities

Abstract

Now, more than ever, the voice of the Black woman needs to brought out of the margins and centralized. Prior to and during the post-truth era, the narrative around Black female teachers has focused on declining recruitment and retention (Carver-Thomas & Darling-Hammond, 2017; Ingersoll & May, 2016; Irvine & Irvine, 2007). While this data holds some verity, it is more empowering to center on Black female teachers who have remained in the profession, despite circumstances. Using a Black Feminist Care framework, this study examines the lived experiences of seven seasoned African American female teachers, part of a phenomenon called “othermothering,” in six majority-White suburban school districts in a midwestern county where they have each taught for over a decade.

Author

• Kel A. Hughes, University of Michigan - Dearborn