Navigating Microaggressions: The Journey of Palestinian Arab Graduates in Jewish Public Schools

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Micro/Macro Contexts of Racism (Table 25)

Abstract

This study examines the experiences of Palestinian-Arab graduates in public Jewish schools in Israel. As an indigenous minority, Palestinian Arabs confront complex challenges, often perceived as outsiders or threats within the state. Given the education system's ongoing struggle for identity and social capital, understanding the integration of minoritized youth becomes crucial (Meshulam & Apple, 2010; Purkarthofer & De Korne, 2020). The research includes thirty-five Palestinian Arab graduates, investigating how these schools shape their identity formation and how they navigate racial microaggressions from Jewish peers. Racial microaggressions, subtle forms of discrimination encompassing disrespect, contempt, and inequality, comprise two critical aspects in this context: (a) their challenge to the Palestinian-Arab identity and (b) the coping strategies employed (Sue et al., 2007).

Authors

• Orwa Sedawi, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

• Assaf Meshulam, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev