Full Description
American society has long placed high expectations on our schools to advance this nation's prospects or to help resolve many of its ills. Throughout America's history, however, immigrant children have experienced difficulties adjusting to their new lives in our schools. This experience has been the fate of many African students who come to America with hopes of securing an excellent education, a better future, and a chance at the American dream; instead, they frequently find disappointment. Much of this frustration stems from the marginalization of African and African-American history and cultural studies in the curriculums of many American schools. The absence of any realistic exploration of Africa or Africans in American society has led to cases of harassment, teasing, and racially charged environments. This Isn't the America I Thought I'd Find explores the African student experience and offers advice for teachers seeking to facilitate a deeper appreciation of the emotional and historical connections between people of African descent and all Americans.
Contents
Chapter 1 List of Tables Chapter 2 Foreword Chapter 3 Preface Chapter 4 Acknowledgements Chapter 5 Introduction Chapter 6 1. "The Darkest Thing About Africa is America's Ignorance of It" Chapter 7 2. African Students Profiles—Previous and Current School Experiences Chapter 8 3. Myths and Misperceptions about Africa, or "I Don't Live in the Jungle" Chapter 9 4. Expectations and Disappointments: Immigrant Life in America—Better Education, Better Life, and "The Streets are Paved with Gold!" Chapter 10 5. Afro-American Student Profiles Chapter 11 6. The "White Elephant in the Room," or How Come Some of These Students Don't Know They're African? Chapter 12 7. Afrocentricity: Theory and Practical Implications Chapter 13 8. Making the Connection / Sharing a Heritage Chapter 14 9. Afrocentricity and Education Reforms Chapter 15 Appendix Chapter 16 Notes Chapter 17 References Chapter 18 Index Chapter 19 About the Authors
