A Phenomenological Analysis of Social Justice/Injustice on the lives of African-American High

119 Pages·2017·0.76 MB·English

University of South Carolina
Scholar Commons
Teses and Dissertations
2016
A Phenomenological Analysis of Social Justice/
Injustice on the lives of African-American High
School Males
Michael R. Harris
University of South Carolina
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Harris, M. R.(2016). A Phenomenological Analysis of Social Justice/Injustice on the lives of Afican-American High School Males. (Doctoral
dissertation). Retrieved from htps://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/3554
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A Phenomenological Analysis of Social Justice/Injustice on the lives of African-
American High School Males

by

Michael R. Harris

Bachelor of Social Work
North Carolina A&T State University, 1990

Master of Social Work
University of South Carolina, 1992

Master of Education
University of South Carolina, 2001

Educational Specialist
South Carolina State University, 2012
_____________________________________________________
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of Doctor of Education in
Curriculum and Instruction
College of Education
University of South Carolina
2016
Accepted by:
Rhonda B. Jeffries, Major Professor
Allison Anders, Committee Member
Daniella A. Cook, Committee Member
Tambra Jackson, Committee Member
Toni Williams, Committee Member
Lacy Ford, Senior Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies
Copyright by Michael R. Harris, 2016
All Rights Reserved.
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DEDICATION

This dissertation is first and foremost dedicated back to my Lord and my Savior, Jesus
Christ. What I have, who I am, and all that I will become I owe it all to HIM. To GOD
Be The Glory For the Things HE Has Done – and will do in my life!
A special dedication to my father, Mr. James Harris, my sisters, Ms. LaRita Harris and
Ms. Karen Harris, and to my mother, the late Mrs. Clara Harris, who were all there in the
beginning to witness and attest to all of my rough edges. Thank GOD for you and the
many times you called my name in prayer!
A higher dedication is offered to my wife of more than twenty years, Dianne N.
Harris. You have unarguably helped me become the man I am today. You never gave up
on me – even when I thought I wanted to give up on myself. You pushed me and
encouraged me and made me believe in this assignment again. I can never repay you for
what you have done. My love always…
Finally, my highest dedication is extended to my greatest blessings, my two sons,
Michael and Ryan. You guys are my motivation and inspiration. I pray that in some
small way, your witness to the completion of this dissertation will inspire you to do even
greater things in life. Believe and know that you are fully equipped for the journey –
enjoy the ride!

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to acknowledge my Dissertation Committee for their commitment, their
contributions and their compassion to the students they teach and to the field of
education. They are: Dr. Rhonda B. Jeffries; Dr. Daniella A. Cook; Dr. Allison Anders,
Dr. Toni Williams and Dr. Tambra Jackson.
I am grateful to my major professor, Dr. Rhonda B. Jeffries, because she took me in
under her wing when I needed an advisor the most. She saw that this poor soul needed
guidance to complete this study and she provided that to me without hesitation. Dr.
Jeffries further demonstrated everyday what passion and commitment are all about. No
one can argue that you are driven by excellence and guided by an authority greater than
yourself. You are indeed ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest!
I am further thankful to Dr. Daniella A. Cook who challenged me to be deliberate in
speech (and writing), and to say what needs to be said without fear of retribution and
reprisals. I can never forget that the watch word is ‘specificity’. You have an uncanny
way of communicating and bringing out the best in others. I appreciate and envy your
depth and intellectual ability.
Thanks so much to Dr. Allison Anders and Dr. Toni Williams for your willingness to
assist in my quest to complete this doctoral degree. You both have shared several great
insights that have helped make a difference in the overall success of this project. Your
thoughtfulness and well wishes are greatly appreciated!
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I am additionally very grateful for Dr. Tambra Jackson who began as my graduate
school advisor. While there were new opportunities at Indiana University, she willfully
continued to serve as a member of my dissertation committee. You will never know how
much that truly means to me.
Lastly, thanks so much to those who offered a kind word, prayed silent prayers and
provided much needed encouragement along the way. I could not have completed this
journey without ALL of you!
Blessings Always…

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to analyze what high school African-American males
perceive as significant influences that directly impact their academic achievement while
attending a predominantly White suburban high school. This qualitative research study
will utilize semi-structured case interviews to collect and analyze data gathered from
among a criteria-based subgroup of African-American high school males. An
examination of archival data such as student course selections, a review of high school
Carnegie units earned and attempted, the availability of support resources and
interventions, as well discipline and attendance reports will each provide evidence of the
probable obstacles impacting the achievement of African-American male students in their
local high school. The study will identify factors that are feasible in ameliorating the
influence and perception of social justice/injustice while enrolled in high school.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iv
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................x
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... ... xi
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................1
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ...................................................................2
1.2 PURPOSE ............................................................................................................4
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS .................................................................................4
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY ....................................................................5
1.5 DELIMITATIONS ..............................................................................................7
1.6 CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS .....................................................................8
1.7 SUMMARY ......................................................................................................11
CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .............................................................12
2.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................12
2.2 ORGANIZATION OF THE REVIEW .............................................................12
2.3 RELEVANCE OF CULTURE AND LANGUAGE .........................................13
2.4 CRITICAL RACE THEORY ............................................................................16
2.5 HISTORICAL CONSTRUCTION ...................................................................19
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2.6 STEREOTYPES AND SOCIAL IMAGERY ...................................................27
2.7 TRANSITION AND SUMMARY ....................................................................30
CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODS ............................................................................32
3.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................32
3.2 DESIGN ............................................................................................................32
3.3 PILOT STUDY .................................................................................................33
3.4 ROLE OF THE RESEARCHER .......................................................................37
3.5 SAMPLE(S) AND SAMPLING PLAN ............................................................37
3.6 COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE .......................................................................38
3.7 ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................40
3.8 SUMMARY ......................................................................................................41
CHAPTER 4 RESULTS ....................................................................................................43
4.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................43
4.2 PARTICIPANTS ...............................................................................................44
4.3 ENVIRONMENT ..............................................................................................47
4.4 EXPECTATIONS .............................................................................................48
4.5 LONELINESS AND ISOLATION ...................................................................58
4.6 RELATIONSHIPS ............................................................................................62
4.7 PATTERNS .......................................................................................................70
4.8 OUTLIERS ........................................................................................................72
4.9 SUMMARY ......................................................................................................73
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................74
5.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................74
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5.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................75
5.3 ADDRESSING THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS ............................................75
5.4 IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................81
5.5 CONCLUSIONS ...............................................................................................87
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................97
APPENDIX A – PARENT NOTIFICATION LETTER .................................................104
APPENDIX B – SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ................................................106

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