Unapologetic Narratives Through Direct Experience: Success and Resiliency Among Black Children of Incarcerated Parents

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This panel shifts the dialogue around the lived experiences and expected
futures of children of incarcerated parents (COIP). Deficit-based perspectives are
dangerous in that they elicit fear in the hearts of individuals. This fear is then
used to cast blame on the innocent bystander, those COIP who deserve to live without
the negative label placed on them because of their status as offspring to incarcerated
or formerly incarcerated loved ones. This panel brings to light those with
direct experiences of parental incarceration to speak for themselves. As highlighted in
the book “Social Revolution: Black Children of Incarcerated Parents Speak Truth to
Power” the presenters provide counter narratives to bring a holistic perspective to what
is missing in the research about them. This panel seeks to uncover the reasons
why research must pivot to focus on resilience to balance the dialogue about
those children and young adults who are not truthfully described through the literature.
Presenters are evidence that COIP are role models, community leaders, college
graduates, trustworthy friends, loving children and just all-around exemplary citizens.
They are solving the issues that research fails to address, and they continue to reach
back and help those who have been unable to help themselves.

Sub Unit

• Area II. Perspectives on Crime / 9. Critical Race/Ethnicity

Individual Presentations

• Resistance Through Achievement: Counter-Storytelling and Children of Incarcerated Parents - Whitney Hollins, Howard University

• Behind the Wall - Dawan Alford, Black Male Mental Health

• The Masquerade Ball - Donald Stevenson, Aspire 2 Inspire; Kevin Gethers, Aspire 2 Inspire

• Dad's "In", Dad's "Out": Maintaining a Relationship with My Incarcerated Father While Pursuing a Ph.D. - Nicole Jenkins, Howard University

• Building The Future Us: Youth Ambassadors On a Mission - Jaelah Brown Muhammad, Howard University; Jian Muhammad, DME Homeschool Academy

Chair

• Bahiyyah MiAllah Muhammad, Howard University

Discussant

• Bahiyyah MiAllah Muhammad, Howard University

Organized by a Division or external group?

DPCC @ 30