Making It: Black Youth, Racism and Career Aspirations in a Big City
Black youth in ‘big cities’.we think we know who they are, what they do, what they think about; Yet, the reality is more complex than it appears. Here, for the first time, is an in-depth, honest attempt to explore and comprehend the world of Black youth in a large urban environment. The city is Toronto, Canada. i could probably be any other major, urban center. This investigation illustrates that Black youth are not frustrated seekers of White Anglo middle class values: neither are they unaware of society’s expectations of them. Their way of life constitutes a distinct and meaningful subculture based upon their minority status. More important, like all youth, Black youth holds high career aspirations and are optimistic that they will achieve their goals despite social conditions… (From the Preface)
Carl James is the Senior Advisor on Equity and Representation in the Office of the Vice President of Equity, People and Culture at York University. He is also the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora and a professor in the Faculty of Education.
Other publications from this author include:
- Colour Matters: Essays on the Experiences, Education, and Pursuits of Black Youth (2021)
- The Equity Myth: Racialization and Indigeneity at Canadian Universities (2017)
- Life at the Intersection: Community, Class and Schooling (2012)
- “Students ‘at risk’: Stereotyping and Schooling of Black Boys” in Urban Education 47 (2), 464-494 (2012)
- Seeing Ourselves: Exploring Race, Ethnicity and Culture (1999)
- Perspectives on Racism and the Human Services Sector: A Case for Change (1996)