Beyond the self: Towards an integral approach to an anti-racist pedagogy in elementary education

This research project by Dr. Godreau (anthropology) and Dr. Franco-Ortiz (psychology) focuses on tracking the effects of racism, xenophobia, and related racial and ethnic disparities in elementary schools of the UPRC surrounding area. Although experiences of racial discrimination have a documented impact on mental health and self-esteem, research in this area could benefit from an approach that considers the systemic, structural aspects of the discrimination experience as well as the experiential events that affect individuals. This research will help to identify mechanisms by which ethnicity, race and culture account for disparities in behavioral and health related research. This research project starts by recognizing the fact that “race” and racism are understood differently in Puerto Rico than in the mainland United States. Of particular importance are national ideologies of blanqueamiento or whitening that uphold the notion that Puerto Ricans have "evolved" by shedding most of their African “blood.” Such notions go hand in hand with ideologies of race mixture that deny racism. In addition, myths of racial democracy represent the rural area and its peasant dweller as national models of race mixture, de-emphasizing the contributions of Blacks to Puerto Rican culture. This research thus explores discrimination in schools of the rural sector because it is here where national ideologies of blanqueamiento and racial democracy are most salient. Because there are currently no guidelines or materials that deal directly with the problem of discrimination at Puerto Rican schools, this project also proposes a complementary educational curricula and teacher workshop to promote understanding of diversity through an interdisciplinary approach that goes beyond self-esteem. Dr. Hale from UT, Austin, an expert on “race” and racial identity in Latin America, will be the collaborator for this project. A close associate of Dr Godreau, Dr. Hale has published extensively on national ideologies of mestizaje and identity politics and is directing a current, externally funded research project on racism in schools of Latin America.