Discovering Racecraft: An Autoethnography of Racialized Childhood and How it Shaped My Teaching and Learning Practice

Authors

genese n. lapaix, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Curriculum and Instruction

First Advisor's Name

Sarah Mathews

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Rebecca Christ

Second Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Andrea Adelman

Third Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Daniel Saunders

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Keywords

Autoethnography, racecraft, teacher, education, racism, politics

Date of Defense

6-26-2023

Abstract

Education is, and always has been, political. The direction of education has largely been dictated by the dominating political agenda, but the pendulum is rarely static. Teachers, for better or for worse, play an important role on that continuum; therefore, it is critical that we evaluate ourselves, specifically our pedagogy. This study focuses on the part of pedagogy that is informed by our histories, experiences, and beliefs—particularly our beliefs about marginalized communities—through autoethnographic vignettes of my personal experiences existing in a racialized society. This study is situated through the conceptual framework of racecraft, a term for explaining the ways in which the social construction of race has yielded powerful and pervasive ideologies about Black and Brown people. The purpose of this study was to understand the extent to which my life experiences, my beliefs, and pedagogical practices have been influenced by racecraft, shaping not only how I viewed myself, but how I navigated the rearing and education of my child and of my students.

This study illuminated the ways my life experiences were caught up in the unique and complicated immigration history in South Florida which led to difficulty feeling included due to the cultural divisions that I grew up in. Additionally, this study revealed the ways in which I was conditioned to conform to the standards of the dominant society, and in doing so, I inadvertently became an agent of white supremacy, expecting that my students dispel their authentic selves in order to be seen and recognized. The findings of this study add to the body of scholarship of transformative teachers writing about their journeys and giving voice and perspective to the process of deconstructing from existing in a racialized society.

Identifier

FIDC011211

Recommended Citation

lapaix, genese n., "Discovering Racecraft: An Autoethnography of Racialized Childhood and How it Shaped My Teaching and Learning Practice" (2023). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5355.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5355