Now I Speak: The African American Males' Perspective as to Whether His Identification with Hip-Hop Culture Affects His Academic Achievement

This study explores the African-American males' perspectives of whether his identification with the hip-hop culture affects his academic achievement. Many Black males have embraced the popular culture of hip-hop with its glamour and style, but many also continue to fall behind in school or dropout. The use of qualitative analysis allows the participants in this study to speak of their experiences with hip-hop and education. Glesne (1999) writes, "Critical Race Theory as a theoretical framework allows the ability to listen well to others stories and to interpret and retell the accounts [which is] is part of the qualitative researcher's trade" (p.1). It also permits the counter narratives of these Black males' perspectives of the quandary of his educational experience to be heard. Sixteen Black males from age 14 to 21 participated in a random questionnaire that measured their level of their identification with hip-hop. Six of the participants also participated in a focus group and individual interviews to discuss in depth their experiences with school and hip-hop. The following themes were prevalent in this study: hip-hop culture is a lifestyle but there are those who try to emulate the style; Their definition of hip-hop consists of rap music and style of dress, along with speech or how they talk; hip-hop is not a passing fad; hip-hop is viewed as a mood regulator; hip-hop culture means money or making money; the hip-hop image affects educator's perceptions; Hip-hop is all they know. The study will enlighten educators as to African American male's perception that how they look affects the treatment they receive in school.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies (Ed.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation (open access)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Mitchell, Chiquetta O.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ronald Bailey
• Grigory Dmitriyev
• Saundra Nettles

• ETD
• Hip-hop culture
• Popular culture
• Critical race theory
• Experiences of African American males
• Hip-hop
• Influence
• United States
• Academic achievement

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/523

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1523