Misunderstood and Miseducated: Lived Experiences of Black Boys in Urban Schools

• In Event: Addressing Race and Culture in Teachers' Work With Students

Abstract

Poverty, incarceration, unemployment, academic failure, and high school incompletion are stereotypical labels that have historically plagued Black males. These labels have penetrated every aspect of society, including school systems, and have adversely affected educational outcomes for Black males. This research focuses on the experiences of 12 adult Black males, who describe school-level factors and an accumulation of experiences that led them to quit high school. A close examination of the participants’ experiences should raise teachers' and administrations' consciousness to ways implicit biases, stereotypes, and a lack of cultural competence can be strong impediments to the educational success of black males.

Authors

• Jo Hawkins-Jones, University of Southern Mississippi

• Myron Labat, Mississippi State University