"I Was Very Impressed": Responses of Surprise to Students of Color Engaged in Youth Participatory Action Research. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bertrand, Melanie
• Is Part Of: Urban education. Volume 54:Number 9(2019)
• Page Start: 1370
• Page End: 1397
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: youth participatory action research -- Students of Color -- systemic racism; Education, Urban -- Periodicals; Enseignement en milieu urbain -- Périodiques; Éducation; Milieu urbain; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 370.91732
• DOI: 10.1177/0042085916648744
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-0859

Abstract

This article explores decision makers' responses of surprise or amazement to Students of Color engaged in youth participatory action research (YPAR). To address this topic, I draw upon data collected from a yearlong qualitative study of a YPAR group, applying the theoretical aspects of critical discourse analysis. The findings indicate that the decision makers in the sample expressed surprise at three aspects of YPAR: the students' (a) capacity as researchers, (b) professionalism, and (c) motivation. These responses—termed "the discourse of surprise"—may have constrained the transformative potential of the students' research.