Experiences of the Sociopolitical Climate Among Black and Latinx Parents

• In Event: Poster Session 08
  In Poster Session: PS 08 Topic - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Abstract

The sociopolitical climate of this era is rife with racial imagery and tension- this much is evident and has been addressed in past research (e.g., Bor et al., 2018). The Trump administration has been characterized by its dangerous validation of anti-Black racism, anti-immigrant and anti-Latinx rhetoric, and White supremacist ideology (Crandall et al., 2018; Giroux, 2017; Inwood, 2019). This administration’s inflammatory rhetoric has had direct consequences on communities of color, including greater distress and increased hate crimes (Albright & Hurd, 2020; Becerra et al., 2020; Edwards & Rushin, 2018; Hatzenbuehler et al., 2017). However, the ways this sociopolitical climate is tangibly experienced by families of color, and affects their daily lives and familial processes, are less clear. While institutionalized and interpersonal racism affect both Black and Latinx communities, the ways these forms of oppression are perpetuated, as well as its consequent effects, can vary widely. Limited research on the effects of the political climate on Black children has shown that witnessing police brutality of other Black Americans, as well as experiencing racism and discrimination, negatively impacts mental health outcomes and creates a heightened racial awareness in Black American children (Bor et al., 2018; Benner & Graham, 2013). Research has also supported the associations between immigration status, anti-immigrant policy, and increased experiences of discrimination with poorer health outcomes for both immigrant and non-immigrant Latinxs (Almeida, et al., 2016; Martinez et al., 2015; Vargas & Ybarra, 2017). Less is known about the nuanced ways in which Black and Latinx Americans characterize and experience the sociopolitical climate and its effects on their families. The present study aimed to capture the experiences of Black and Latinx parents living in the current sociopolitical climate through semi-structured interviews.

Participants (9 non-Latinx Black American and 13 Latinx parents) were drawn from a larger longitudinal study of Black and Latinx children from low-income families. For demographic information, see Table 1. Participants responded to open-ended questions about how they perceive and experience the sociopolitical climate, including the impact of police brutality, immigration, and racism. Conversations occurred in the respondents’ dominant language and were audio-recorded in their homes. They were then manually transcribed and analyzed thematically in ATLAS.ti by two teams of two, split by participant ethnicity. An inductive coding strategy was used to identify statements relevant to our research purpose (Braun & Clarke, 2006). This first step resulted in greater than 100 initial codes within each team. These were then discussed within-team, trimmed, and consolidated into broader themes (the unit of analysis).

Five themes were identified within the Black American sample and four themes were identified within the Latinx sample (see Table 2). Additionally, these themes shared some commonalities across samples, such as a general distrust of law enforcement and the news. These findings highlight the experiences of Black American and Latinx parents caring for their families in the current sociopolitical climate. Understanding their experiences is imperative to better supporting Black and Latinx families within our communities and institutions.

Authors

• Andrea Neftali Trejo, University of Georgia
  Presenting Author

• LaRen Morton, University of Georgia
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kimberly R. Osborne, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author