Searching for Black Womanist Care in a School for Dropout Youth

• In Event: 29.090 - Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: 29.090-11 - Secondary and Postsecondary Persistence Among Marginalized Youth

Abstract

While educators agree that caring is important in learning, less agreement exists on how care should be enacted. Research shows that colorblind care harms students of color. In contrast, Black womanist theories of caring have a tradition of success with Black students. Drawing on three years of ethnographic fieldwork at a school for dropout youth, this paper highlights forms of caring that deepened students’ desire to persist in school. In accordance with womanist care theory, students responded best to caring that was rooted in a maternal stance, political clarity, and an ethic of risk. Their testimonials highlight the need for educators to enact race-conscious, critical care—a move we argue is crucial to the work of reengaging youth in education.

Authors

• Jennifer Buehler, Saint Louis University

• Lauren Rea Preston, Saint Louis University