SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

Becoming Black: Reconciling Race Relations as an Afro-Caribbean Educator

Advertisement

By Deziree Baker

As a Caribbean immigrant educator, I have had to adapt to the United States in several ways—racially, socially, and academically. In this article, I will share my experiences with “becoming Black” in the States and subsequently how my racial identity development has impacted my practices as an educator.

Racial identity development is defined as a dynamic process that occurs over time and is affected by personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural environments. Several racial identity models exist across different groups—one is William E. Cross Jr.’s Nigrescence model, which outlines the statuses of development for people with a Black racial identity. According to Cross, Nigrescence (the process of becoming Black) is characterized by 5 stages:

  • Pre-encounter
  • Encounter
  • Immersion-Emersion
  • Internalization
  • Internalization-Commitment1

Using the lens of Cross’s theoretical framework, I have been able to unpack my own racial identity development. Based on the model, I’ve seen how my teaching practices from a teacher-candidate to a full-time teacher have either a) conformed to whitewashed history or b) been inorganically framed to shed light on Black figures/history, without including other marginalized groups.

I’ve gone from one extreme to another, and am just now getting to the place where I have reconciled my racial development. This has not only helped me personally, but it has also allowed me to align my teaching practices to be more inclusive and a true reflection of diversity. 

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Deziree Baker is an educator and doctoral student currently living in Charlotte, NC.

Education News

Common Sense Media Launches New Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum

Revamped curriculum features lessons on online safety, building healthy mindsets, managing screen time, AI literacy, and more.

The Secret to Thriving Schools? Parents Who Feel Safe and Heard

To create a culture of safety and help parents feel confident sending their children to school, school leaders must communicate with families about the safety measures that are in place.

New Book from NYC Science Teacher Strives to Reimagine Education in Urban Classrooms

In "Learning Environment," award-winning New York City science teacher Dr. Fox transforms traditional instruction into immersive, justice-driven learning.

Turning Pages, Turning Up: Tackling Absenteeism Through Reading Culture

Across the nation, educators are facing a growing crisis of chronic absenteeism. And while interventions often focus on remediation or outreach, one Title I school in Kentucky tried a different solution: running school-wide reading challenges.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Deziree Baker
Deziree Baker
Deziree Baker is an educator and doctoral student currently living in Charlotte, NC.

Advertisement

Read More

Common Sense Media Launches New Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum

Revamped curriculum features lessons on online safety, building healthy mindsets, managing screen time, AI literacy, and more.

The Secret to Thriving Schools? Parents Who Feel Safe and Heard

To create a culture of safety and help parents feel confident sending their children to school, school leaders must communicate with families about the safety measures that are in place.

New Book from NYC Science Teacher Strives to Reimagine Education in Urban Classrooms

In "Learning Environment," award-winning New York City science teacher Dr. Fox transforms traditional instruction into immersive, justice-driven learning.

Back-to-School Must-Haves: Transform Your Classroom with These Indispensable Items

With the right tools and products at your side, you can turn the chaotic transition from summer break back to school into a smooth ride.

The Secret to a Quiet Lunch Break: Building Student Relationships

The trick to not using all your personal days during the first month of school is to focus on stopping bad behavior before it starts, instead of punishing students after the fact.

Turning Pages, Turning Up: Tackling Absenteeism Through Reading Culture

Across the nation, educators are facing a growing crisis of chronic absenteeism. And while interventions often focus on remediation or outreach, one Title I school in Kentucky tried a different solution: running school-wide reading challenges.
casino caliente com mx | casino online no deposit bonus free | slots de expansión | caliente com | como le hago para ganar dinero en kwai | elementos de una ruleta | casino fiesta | casino palace cancun | ruleta de la muerte 2 | la caliente | ganar dinero por internet 2016 | uno juego de mesa online | casino demo | casino riviera | casino mty | slots in casino | betcris casino | casino caliente en linea | bebida ruleta rusa | casino villa de acuña | golden city casino | yak casino cerca de mi | casino caliente guadalajara | casino life cdmx | casino online deposit paypal | como usar brave para ganar dinero | ruleta casino mesa | slotomania juegos gratis | casino tlalpan | ruleta online de preguntas | casino play city | online slot machines | ruleta numeros del 1 al 50 | planet hollywood resort & casino | novibet casino login | casino real victoria | coin slot piercing | casino royal yak culiacan sinaloa | play city casino acoxpa | casino tijuana | bet365 casino en vivo | como le hago para ganar dinero en kwai | comp hacer una ruleta | casino caliente morelia | new york casino monterrey | pullman de morelos casino de la selva | yak casino | casino de los médicos | casino en linea mexico | casino pelicula | donde publicar un libro y ganar dinero | space casino | como se juega en las maquinas tragamonedas | como se hace una ruleta para niños | rio hotel casino | como ganar en el casino | sorteo ruleta con numeros | the mirage hotel & casino |