What Happens When Students Are in the Minority
Experiences and Behaviors that Impact Human Performance
By (author) Charles B. Hutchison Contributions by Maria Abelquist, Tiffany Adams, Clifford Afam, Daniel Blankton, Brian Bongiovanni, Carletta Bradley, Winfree Brisley, Tracie S. Clark, David W. Cornett, Jim Cross, Betty Danzi, Arron Deckard, Ryan Delehant, Lauren Emerson, Angela Jakeway, LaTasha Jones, Stephanie Johnston, Kalilah Kirkpatrick, Karlie Kissman, Jeremy Laliberte, Melissa Loftis, Lisa McCrimmon, Anita McGee, Aja' Pharr, Crystal Sisk, Loretta Sullivan, Ora Uhuru, Ann Wright
Publication date:
16 September 2009Length of book:
252 pagesPublisher
R&L EducationDimensions:
240x163mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9781607093947
When people find themselves as the minorities in different situations, they often feel as if they have been placed onstage with a spotlight on them. Consequently, they become prisoners of anxiety, and engage in certain predictable, negative behaviors. Owing to sheer anxiety and mental overload, these situational minorities often find themselves behaving unintelligently. This book uses real-life experiences of diverse people to illustrate that, if not understood and addressed, situational minorities at school or work are unlikely to perform at their highest potentials. This book is for anyone who wants to understand human behavior and performance: why minorities struggle in majority schools, or why the only male or female on the team has to overcome a mental barrier in order to catch up.
This book offers insight into the personal narratives of those who have had 'minority experiences' within multiple contexts. The narratives speak to the ways that we tend to experience and make meaning of—through place, space, and time—being 'othered.' Furthermore, it provides important implications for parents, teachers, and school administrators on ways to support youth, particularly youth of color, who have developed personal identities as members of minority groups. This clearly written and insightful book is a proudly significant addition to educators' reading list.