The Counter Narratives Project, a new study published today by the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies paints a new and very different picture of the success and achievement of young Black and Latino Males in Los Angeles County. Based on interviews, discussions and observations with more than 200 Black and Latino Males attending urban high schools, the study provides insight into the lives of young men of color and their success in their homes, schools and communities.
“While the failures of young men of color are well documented, too little attention has been paid to their success and achievements,” says UCLA Professor Tyrone Howard, principal investigator of the Counter Narratives study and director of the Black Male Institute at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. “The Counter Narrative Project aims to change that. This report highlights young men who are the products of high expectations and shines a spotlight on resilient, intelligent, and caring young Black and Latino men across Los Angeles County. Our research reveals their humanity and makes clear their leadership and success in the classroom and in their communities.”
In describing themselves and their lives, the young men used words like hardworking, determined, leader, respectful and responsible. While most were successful in school, they did not limit their definitions of success to school. The research discovered young men who assisted their peers, demonstrated leadership, and thrived in a multitude of extracurricular activities. They were involved in and took pride in their communities. Many of the young men discussed their willingness to support their mothers and grandmothers, assist with younger siblings, or help elderly citizens in their neighborhoods. Their stories provide a fuller picture of the aspects of their humanity and identity too often missing from mainstream portrayals. The average grade point average for these young men was 3.6, most were college bound, and many played leadership roles in their families, schools and communities. None had been arrested, and many held jobs to help support their families.
“In their responses we can see caring young men who put forth consistent efforts to be the best that they could within their respective families, schools and communities, says Professor Howard. “Their words paint a picture of their humanity that we should all see. They are impressive, and a counter to the fear, misunderstanding, and ignorance that exists about young men of color.”
The research also draws out common factors that contribute to and support their success, including the support of family, school personnel and others in their communities.
“People make a difference in the lives of these young men,” says Howard. “Parents play a powerful role, and teachers and principals can make a real difference with simple gestures that provide encouragement and guidance.”
“Too often, people have limited experience with young men of color. There is a cottage industry of reporting on academic failure, unemployment and crime among Black and Latino Youth that reinforces negative perceptions,” says Howard. Hopefully our research can help people to see these youth in a different light and build support for policies and practices across the nation that can help more to succeed.”
The Counter Narrative Project aims to understand the elements of success in the lives of young men of color and build awareness of their achievements, based on a model from a similar study conducted by Shaun R. Harper, founder of the Center for Study of Race and Equity in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Students were selected based on having a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and/or having been identified as demonstrating leadership, talent or resilience. The students were asked about their lives, how they define success, and the factors that have contributed to it. Researchers listened as they described themselves and learned about their success in three areas – home, school, and their neighborhoods. Their data was gathered through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observations at schools and various community-based sites. Each interview was audio recorded and transcribed producing hundreds of single-spaced pages of verbatim interview transcripts.
Funding for the Counter Narrative Project is provided by The California Endowment.
To read more about the Counter Narrative Project, visit the Sudikoff Institute Public Forum’s “Knowledge That Matters” website.
For a story on the Counter Narrative Project in The Los Angeles Times, click here.