Hip Hop Language Pedagogies for Liberation: A Critical Cultural Cypher on Language, Race, and Education

ABSTRACT

In this article, co-authors Brian Mooney, Joniesha Hickson, Aaleah Oliver, and Jahvel Pierce discuss language, race, and education with author April Baker-Bell. Speaking from their perspectives as teachers, scholars, researchers, poets, spiritual leaders, and cultural workers, their experiences address the importance of sustaining a Black linguistic consciousness within and outside of classrooms where students experience Anti-Black Linguistic Racism. This intergenerational dialogue and critical cultural cypher reflect the linguistic counter-space the authors co-constructed through Hip Hop and spoken word at a high school in New Jersey. The cypher addresses the article’s central question: What is Black linguistic consciousness and how do we sustain it for liberation, equity, and excellence in education?

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian Mooney

Brian Mooney is a teacher-educator, scholar, poet, and author from New Jersey. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Literacy Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University. In June 2015, Brian’s teaching caught the attention of Pulitzer Prize-winning Hip Hop artist Kendrick Lamar and resulted in a school visit by the rapper. His first book, Breakbeat Pedagogy: Hip Hop and Spoken Word Beyond the Classroom Walls, was published in 2016 by Peter Lang Academic Publishing.

Joniesha Hickson

Joniesha Hickson earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, D.C. She is a Jersey City native, creative, and community organizer who has collaborated with organizations such as the Association of Black Psychologists, Inc., D.C. Psychological Association, and American Heart Association. Joniesha is the CEO of a DC-registered 501©3 non profit organization, rooted in the pedagogy and praxis of the Black Panther Party, called Dear Black Prophets, Co.

Aaleah Oliver

Aaleah Oliver is a cultural worker based in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor’s in Global Studies from LIU Global in 2020. As the Chief Operating Officer and a creative at the BlackteaBrownsuga Network, she manages grant writing and day-to-day operations, and orchestrates music programs for a diverse range of creatives. Aaleah’s music and storytelling prowess serves as a bridge across generations, fostering empowerment for individuals to share their stories and reach their aspirations.

Jahvel Pierce

Jahvel Pierce is a young pastor, advocate, and actor from Jersey City, New Jersey. Born and raised in Jersey City, Jahvel has dedicated the majority of his life to the arts through acting and singing. He has worked in various fields, from small businesses to large entertainment companies. Jahvel believes his true calling in life is to innovate, inspire, and ignite change in people’s lives.

April Baker-Bell

April Baker-Bell is an Associate Professor of Language, Culture, and Justice in Education at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education. Baker-Bell is an international leader in conversations on Black Language education. Her multi-award-winning book, Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy, brings together theory, research, and practice to dismantle Anti-Black Linguistic Racism (a term Baker-Bell coined) and white linguistic supremacy.