Research concerns, cautions and considerations on Black males in a ‘post‐racial’ society

Abstract

Black males continue to be one of the most academically marginalized groups of students in US schools, and undoubtedly the role of race and racism has largely influenced these experiences. The paradox of the underperformance of Black males has been the election of President Obama in 2008. The Obama election has led some to question whether or not race and racism continue to be pertinent factors in how racially diverse groups experience life in the United States. This article takes an examination of research on Black males in what some are attempting to label the United States’ first ‘post‐racial’ era. In this article, the authors take exception to the term ‘post‐racial’ and any suggestion that the United States is beyond race, and that race no longer matters in US life, law, policy, and life experiences. The article calls for researchers to be mindful of important cautions, concerns, and considerations as they engage in scholarly inquiry on Black males.

Keywords:

• Black males
• race
• education
• equity
• research

Notes

1. We refer to equity minded researchers as scholars and practitioners whose works are concerned with issues tied to equity, access, and the eradication of discriminatory practices and policies which create inequitable schooling conditions.

2. It should be noted that Black women were also victims of the Tuskegee experiments given that they were sexual partners and wives of many, if not most, of the affected Black men. Hence Black women also suffered from untreated venereal diseases and often cared for the untreated men.