Aspiring Nepantleras: Conceptualizing Social Studies Education From the Rupture/la Herida Abierta

• In Event: Disrupting Social Studies Education

Abstract

This paper engages Gloria Anzaldúa’s concepts of nepantla and nepantleras as a representation of social studies classrooms that takes into account the lived experiences of borders--in-between national, ethnic, racial, and gender worlds--the grietas y rajaduras (cracks and ruptures) of dominant narratives of colonialism, whiteness, and heteropatriarchy. Nepantleras, those who live, breathe, and challenge the marginalization of borders, drive such cracks and ruptures by resisting assimilation and creating new possible worlds. We introduce the term aspiring nepantleras as our scholarship horizon, the place we navigate towards where we center the grietas of dominant narratives in the social studies classroom. Such work is essential to healing and formation of healthy communities that embrace all students.

Authors

• Gerardo Joel Aponte-Safe, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse

• Ana Carolina Diaz Beltran, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

• Rebecca C. Christ, Florida International University