What conditions have to be in place for Black men to feel comfortable presenting in classroom contexts? That’s a question I’ve been wondering about and my ongoing interviews with collegiate Black men assisted me in thinking about it.
Some Black men I spoke with said that they did not speak in class because they viewed themselves as quiet. Others noted that their classes did not expect or want their input (i.e. lecture-based learning). Still others said that they had opinions but they were overlooked.
Classroom conditions that were found to be more conducive to the engagement of Black men were environments that promoted books and topics that were relevant and were considered to being interesting to them. Being interested in the subject matter was also important for participation.
In addition, classrooms where students were surrounded by like-minded peers and taught by a professor who encouraged conversation and critical thinking further supported engagement. Black men who participated in classrooms like this noted having more positive and impactful experiences.
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