Urban Youth Community Activism and the Development of a Critical Praxis

• In Event: Rearticulating Student Voice and Activism

Abstract

Over the past decade, inner-city urban communities have experienced unprecedented social, economic, and political transformations. It is not difficult to note the effect these transformations have had on a community’s youth. In lower socio-economic communities, these transformations often exacerbate community-based issues (for example, homelessness, gentrification, and gang violence). The purpose of this paper is to provide results from a community-based research project located in Chicago, IL. I offer a portrayal of youth agency by showing how Latina/o youth challenged the loss of community identity resulting from gentrification. I argue that youth can develop a critical consciousness about community activism that works to support their continued activist activities with the support from community institutions.

Author

• Brenda M. Trofanenko, University of Illinois