MySpace: A Space for BIPOC Students to Explore Ethnic Identity in Predominantly White Schools
Research Mentor(s)
Dr. Chris Sink
Description
There is limited literature focusing on the experiences and identity development of BIPOC students who attend predominantly white schools. This project was born out of the lived experiences of two BIPOC school counselors-in-training, and how over exposure to Eurocentric/white ideologies imbedded within U.S. public schools greatly disrupts the ability to develop a healthy identity. Group counseling in schools provides direct service to students based on collective needs. For this project 7 BIPOC students were identified and selected to participate in a school-based counseling group led by BIPOC counseling students. The group focus is exploring middle school student’s racial identities, both in and outside of the Eurocentric/white lens. Due to limited BIPOC representation within schools and/or a blind awareness of the importance of such groups, white institutions fall short on supporting these kids in a culturally sensitive manner. The purpose of this pilot study is to elevate diverse students’ identities and give voice to those who are often ignored and therefore silenced. The group leaders intend to build rapport, distribute psychoeducation through a multicultural adaptation of the evidence-based, True Goals curriculum, establish a safe space for students to gain an understanding of their own cultural identity, and provide this service through cultural and racial counselor representation. The need for this research is substantial, as it was extremely clear through a pre-assessment looking at unpacking racial battle fatigue (RBT) that these middle school students lacked an understanding of their own ethnic cultural background. At the end of 6 group sessions a post-test will be distributed to evaluate the effectiveness of this BIPOC group counseling intervention and the experiences of the middle school students.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
SMATE Library (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
School Counseling
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
MySpace: A Space for BIPOC Students to Explore Ethnic Identity in Predominantly White Schools
SMATE Library (Bellingham, Wash.)
There is limited literature focusing on the experiences and identity development of BIPOC students who attend predominantly white schools. This project was born out of the lived experiences of two BIPOC school counselors-in-training, and how over exposure to Eurocentric/white ideologies imbedded within U.S. public schools greatly disrupts the ability to develop a healthy identity. Group counseling in schools provides direct service to students based on collective needs. For this project 7 BIPOC students were identified and selected to participate in a school-based counseling group led by BIPOC counseling students. The group focus is exploring middle school student’s racial identities, both in and outside of the Eurocentric/white lens. Due to limited BIPOC representation within schools and/or a blind awareness of the importance of such groups, white institutions fall short on supporting these kids in a culturally sensitive manner. The purpose of this pilot study is to elevate diverse students’ identities and give voice to those who are often ignored and therefore silenced. The group leaders intend to build rapport, distribute psychoeducation through a multicultural adaptation of the evidence-based, True Goals curriculum, establish a safe space for students to gain an understanding of their own cultural identity, and provide this service through cultural and racial counselor representation. The need for this research is substantial, as it was extremely clear through a pre-assessment looking at unpacking racial battle fatigue (RBT) that these middle school students lacked an understanding of their own ethnic cultural background. At the end of 6 group sessions a post-test will be distributed to evaluate the effectiveness of this BIPOC group counseling intervention and the experiences of the middle school students.