For White Hip-Hop Educators...and the Rest of Ya'll Too: Examining Positionality in Hip-Hop Education

• In Event: Protect Ya Head: Mental Health, Hip-Hop, and the Classroom

Abstract

Through an understanding of critical race theory and critical whiteness studies, this paper encourages scholars who identify as hip-hop educators, and who utilize hip-hop based approaches in their teaching practice, to examine their positionality as it relates to hip-hop education. Results show that a lack of interrogation of whiteness and positionality while engaging in hip-hop education and research can contribute to a replication of systemic inequities. These findings lead the authors of this work to encourage educators and researchers engaging in hip-hop education to examine their positionality as they engage in hip-hop based education.

Authors

• Edmund S Adjapong, Seton Hall University

• Kelly R. Allen, Augusta University