Black and Latinx Youth Beliefs About Academic Achievement as a Form of Resistance

• In Event: Critical Perspectives on Democratic Education

Abstract

Among some youth of color, high academic achievement is seen as a form of resistance to racism. Seeing “achievement as resistance” can help youth of color perform well in school and feel efficacious in the struggle against racism (Carter, 2008). However, one study found these beliefs were negatively related to how youth viewed other activism (May et al., 2022). This mixed-methods study utilized survey (n = 359) and interview data (n = 26) to consider youth’s achievement-as-resistance beliefs and how they may relate to youth’s commitment to activism. Achievement-as-resistance beliefs and commitment to activism were positively related for three (of six) schools in the sample. Qualitative analysis focused on examining the distinct school messaging around achievement, activism, and race.

Authors

• Brianna C. Diaz, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Scott Clifford Seider, Boston College
  Non-Presenting Author