The B’s of Blackness: A Remedy for Black Students Inoculation Against Anti-Blackness School Trauma

• In Event: Social-Emotional Development and Behavioral Responses

Abstract

The B’s of Blackness or BoB is a culturally affirming guide to aide Black children’s development of a healthy sense of self and to inoculate them against anti-Blackness school trauma (Heidelburg, 2022) The epistemological racism in Western early education programs (King, 1991; Nunley, 2020) creates a risk factor for students of color and especially those who are melanin rich (King, 1990). Using Afrikan-centered scholarship (Hilliard, 1998; Nsamenang, 2006; Wilson, 1978), that recognizes Spiritness as a foundational developmental domain (Mbiti, 1970) this evolving conceptual toolkit using prevention vs intervention as a framework. Application of the BofB can readily become an effective remedy for addressing the needs of Black students victimized based on their race/ethnicity.

Author

• Patricia Lynn Nunley, City College of San Francisco