Amplifying African Refugees in Amman, Jordan: An Antiracist and Culturally Relevant Approach in Community Education

• In Event: Rich Global Perspectives on Peace Education

Abstract

This qualitative research project results from fieldwork that took place in Amman, Jordan at a grassroots non-governmental organization (NGO), which provides educational opportunities for African refugee populations.

Because of racialized violence, prejudice, and discrimination that exist in Jordan toward Black refugees, volunteer educators and the author implemented anti-racist and culturally relevant community education in partner NGO organizations, in the homes of the refugee community, and in an elementary school.

This study examines how a refugee community and Jordanian volunteers developed a liberatory and radical educational model, leading to a group critical consciousness and created dialogic action (Freire, 1970) at both the macro and micro level. This model resulted in the building of respectful and loving relationships between Jordanian African communities.

Author

• Shireen Keyl, Utah State University