Merit in Meritocracy: Uncovering the Myth of Exceptionality and Self-Reliance Through the Voices of Urban Youth of Color

《Merit in Meritocracy: Uncovering the Myth of Exceptionality and Self-Reliance Through the Voices of Urban Youth of Color》

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关键字: meritocracy; exceptionality; self-reliance; empowerment-social capital; urban youth; CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS; SCHOOL SUCCESS; AMERICAN-DREAM; COMMUNITY; ENGAGEMENT; DIVERSITY; STUDENTS; WORKING; CULTURE; LIFE

作者单位: [Lardier, David T., Jr.] Univ New Mexico, Family & Child Studies Program, Dept Individual Family & Community Educ, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA. [Herr, Kathryn G.] Montclair State Univ, Dept Educ Fdn, Montclair, NJ USA. [Barrios, Veronica R.; Reid, Robert J.] Montclair State Univ, Family Sci & Human Dev, Montclair, NJ USA. [Garcia-Reid, Pauline] Montclair State Univ, Ctr Child Advocacy & Policy, Family Sci & Human Dev, Montclair, NJ USA. Lardier, DT (reprint author), Univ New Mexico, Family & Child Studies Program, Dept Individual Family & Community Educ, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA. E-Mail: dlardier@unm.edu

摘要: A disproportionate number of urban youth attend underresourced and segregated schools. While tenets of the American Dream are inculcated in urban youth, a dearth of educational resources is available to help realize this dream. This qualitative study explored the narratives of urban youth (N = 85), many of whom sought to be the exceptions, embracing higher education as a pathway to successful futures, yet few identified resources that would make access to higher education possible. The capital accrued in their communities allowed them to navigate their social environment; however, it was an insufficient bridge for future success in higher education. Furthermore, they espoused a belief in their own self-reliance as the one resource on which they could count on. Ironically, the youth also accepted "not making it" a result of their own shortcomings. We link findings to empowerment agents who would cultivate both bridging capital and critical consciousness among/for youth.