In this conceptual article, the authors advance the idea of critical whiteness pedagogies by arguing that an improvisational ethos offers an alternative to whiteness and might inspire more nuanced anti-racist pedagogies with white people. This framework is born out of years of collaboration between the authors that resulted in an approach to…

Racial literacy as defined by Stevenson (2014) is an important cultural resistance strategy (e.g., positive coping strategy) for Black children and youth because it gives them the skills needed to survive in a racist society. Stevenson's work, along with the work of several of his colleagues, focuses on adolescents and those in middle childhood,…

Identity development is a critical process common to the human experience across all demographics. While everyone engages in identity development, the range of nuances in identity that need to be navigated makes the process more complicated. As children progress through adolescence, developing their unique identity becomes a vital task in which…

We assert the concepts of "role model" and "mentor" continue to permeate educational and public discourse as viable means of behavioral modification among young Black males facing multiple inequities. Though these terms it seems, have obtained significant currency, they also carry a degree of ubiquity--obscuring proper…

The purpose of this article is to synthesize the relevant research literatures in order to conceptualize Black immigrant students' socialization and identity transformation, thereby finding more effective ways to work with this group. Providing Asian immigrant students as a comparison group, this article identifies and analyzes the commonalities…

The racial definitional system in the United States ensures the separation of people. It is a caste-like system of nomenclature which was invented by Whites for their benefit. It is institutionalized and gets renewed through the socialization process. The system is only peripherally concerned with how Blacks define themselves. (VM)

Provides a rationale for women's groups and describes benefits to group members. The seven articles in this special issue deal with using a group approach to deal with anger, rape, lesbianism, sexuality awareness, issues for Black women and overcoming internal barriers to career development. (Author/JAC)

Spiritual socialization can be central to children's healthy development. An ethnographic study of the beliefs of African-American adults about children's socialization in Sunday school, and an ethnic-sensitive social work intervention designed to support the development of resilience in African-American children are described. (Author/EMK)

Black American males lack a ceremony to usher them into manhood. Such a ritual could help to ensure proper socialization and self identity. It may counteract the negative influence of street culture. Like other major life change ceremonies, a coming-of-age rite can help to locate anew the individual within the community. Elements of this rite of…

A Black U.S. sociologist views the issue of marginality in early socialization and career development. Analyzes his life experiences to provide data through which a dialectical model of marginalization and human development can be constructed. Concludes that emphasis upon either marginality or mainstreaming is a function of the complex interaction…

Explores the relationship between adolescent reports of the level of kinship support they experience as members of an extended family network and racial socialization beliefs. Responses from 229 African American adolescents support the hypothesis that adolescent perceptions of the importance of racial socialization relate directly to perceived…

To provide male role models (and help save the endangered African-American male), a Miami principal assigned 20 black kindergarten boys to an African-American male teacher and 23 black first grade boys to a white male teacher. Focusing on attendance, academic achievement, student partnerships, gentlemanly manners, and appropriate school behavior,…

The seven papers presented in this document are the products of a Think Tank held concurrently with a 1985 conference on the black family. Approximately 45 representatives of the Greater Cleveland community participated in the Think Tank, which was divided into ten task forces that addressed issues that are critical to the survival and development…

Presents an interview by National Endowment for the Humanities chairman, Sheldon Hackney, with historian John Higham on multiculturalism and national identity. Contends that the centrifugal forces of national, ethnic, and religious diversity need countervailing forces to hold the nation together. (CFR)

Examined linkage between mothers' provision of racial socialization messages and communication, warmth, negativity, child monitoring, and involvement. Found that mothers with moderate frequency of proactive responses to discrimination items exhibited the most positivity, were most involved, monitored their child's activities the most, and…