Title

Understanding Race and Racism Among Immigrant Children: Insights into Anti-bias Education for All Students

Abstract

This study examines relationship dynamics between young immigrant children in an afterschool program, and the ways in which these children become involved in racial discrimination and exclusion whereby one group perceives itself as majority. In order to explore and understand these children’s narratives and behaviors in an in-depth and comprehensive way, this study utilizes a qualitative case study approach. Employing a sociocultural theoretical lens as an analytic tool, this study provides insight into how young immigrant children whose first languages are other than English are aware of linguistic and cultural differences among their peers in the afterschool context, and how they develop their social attitudes toward these differences, include or exclude children, and negotiate power in their relationships. The findings extend the discourse of racism beyond the Black–White framework, increase awareness and understanding of how racial discrimination plays out between young immigrant children, and highlight the need for anti-bias education for all students.

Department(s)

Childhood Education and Family Studies

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01021-z

Keywords

Afterschool program, Anti-bias education, Bilinguals, Immigrants, Racism, Young children

Publication Date

9-1-2020

Journal Title

Early Childhood Education Journal

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