Racialized narratives : the construction and experience of racial identity among learners at a desegregated school in Chatsworth.
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Date
2005
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Abstract
This thesis explores the construction and experience of racial identity among eight grade eleven learners at a desegregated school in Chatsworth. The possible challenges and threats faced by these learners in terms of racial identity were also examined.
Semi-structured interviews were utilized as qualitative method to interrogate the ways in
which the eight grade eleven learners construct their racial identities. There were many
contradictions which emerged from my study. This points to the fact that research is
never clear-cut; results do not always fall neatly into place. Nonetheless, the primary
findings of the interviews reflect that learners are comfortable with the idea of racial
integration and expressed positive views about interacting with learners from different
race groups. However, the participants made reference to pockets of racism and threads
of interracial conflict evident at the school.
The data in my study also shows that the Indian learners, forming the majority in the
school, enjoy a more advantaged position as the school adopts an assimilation policy.
Description
Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.
Keywords
Theses--Education., Identity--Social aspects., Racism in education.