African Immigrants' Experiences in American Schools

Complicating the Race Discourse

By (author) Shirley Mthethwa-Sommers, Immaculee Harushimana

Not available to order

Publication date:

12 October 2016

Length of book:

146 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

ISBN-13: 9781498510721

African Immigrants’ Experiences in American Schools: Complicating the Race Discourse is aimed at filling the gap in the literature about African-born students in American schools. This book will not only assist teachers and administrators in understanding the nuanced cultural, sociological, and socio-cognitive differences between American-born and African-born students; it will also equip them with effective interpersonal teaching strategies adapted to the distinct needs of African-born students and others like them. The book explores in depth salient African-rooted factors that come into play in the social and academic integration of African immigrant students, such as gender, spirituality, colonization, religious affiliation, etc. The authors examine American-rooted factors that complicate the adaptation of these students in the US educational school system, such as institutional racism, Afrophobia, Islamophobia, cultural discontinuities, curricular mismatches, and western media mis-portrayals. They also proffer pedagogical tools and frameworks that may help minimize these deleterious factors.

Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: Why an invisible surge of African Immigrants
Chapter 2: Complicating race discourse: African-born studentsIn U.S. schools
Chapter 3: Educational Systems in Pre-colonial, Colonial and Post-colonial Africa
Chapter 4: Affirming African Philosophies, Epistemologies and Worldviews
Chapter 5: Spirituality, Religion and Schooling of African-born Students
Chapter 6: Language Politics and the Education of African-born Students
Chapter 7: Gender and Education Matters in African Contexts
Chapter 8: Conclusion: Empowering Pedagogical Practices
About the Authors

A long-overdue, meticulous analysis of the invisibilization and marginalization of African-born students in the US, with a comprehensive set of suggested pedagogical solutions. A must-read for education professionals working with this population.