Historical Record of the Evolution of Race as a Construct and a Moving Target

• In Event: Dismantling Racial Injustice: Contributions of the Science of Learning and Development

Abstract

This panel documents the history of how the construct of race has unfolded in human history, in U.S. history, and in the history of Central and South America as these converge to play out in the evolution of systems of racial discrimination we continue to experience. The panel further documents the systemic organizing across time and space that has been fruitful in resisting racism and related systems of othering, including how issues of identity (as individuals and members of racial/ethnic groups) and relationship building within and across communities have substantively contributed to community resilience and systemic change. The panel will further document how issues of racial/ethnic identity and networks of supportive relationships have also contributed to successful academic performance among racialized youth as well as to youth’s motivation and engagement in community activism. Attention to time (cultural-historical, macro, ontogenetic, and micro) is an essential dimension in understanding human learning and development. Thus, this panel will contribute to our understanding of the salience of history to development in the moment, including our current efforts to dismantle racialized systems of oppression.

Authors

• Jarvis R. Givens, Harvard University

• Tabbye Maria Chavous, American Educational Research Association

• Manuel L. Espinoza, University of Colorado - Denver