Asian and Asian American Youth's Perceptions of Equity and Antiracism at an Elite, Girls' Independent School

• In Event: Youths' Perception of Racial Identity and Social Inequities in School

Abstract

In Summer 2020, we began research at an independent school in the Northeastern U.S. as it launched intensified anti-racism and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) work. We use qualitative data and Clonan-Roy et al.’s (2016) adapted model of positive youth development (PYD) to explore Asian and Asian-American (AsAm) youth’s interactions with and understanding of equity and anti-racism at the school. This counternarrative to the model minority myth highlights youth voices and the need for a critical, developmental stance in anti-racism and DEIJ work. Our research adds to the growing body of scholarship focused on AsAm youth’s experiences with racism in schools, and offers recommendations for schools seeking a truly inclusive approach anti-racist and DEIJ work.

Authors

• Kelsey Jones, Williams College

• Michael Kokozos