Africana Womanism Within a Patriarchal School District: Navigating the Double Bind

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership and Identity Politics

Abstract

This paper explores the story of an African American school district leader, Celia, dedicated to social justice school reform. Using a narrative framework, we tell Celia’s story through the lens of Africana womanism, situating her efforts for reform within a patriarchal school system. Analyzed in such a way, Celia’s narrative reveals how the juxtaposition of the Africana womanist worldview and patriarchy gave rise to a “double-bind” for Celia. We recount the story of how Celia navigated the double bind and persevered despite the roadblocks on the path to social justice school reform.

Authors

• Stephanie Schroeder, University of Florida

• Elizabeth Bondy, University of Florida

• Ola Kalu, University of Central Florida

• Mario Worlds, University of Florida