Vision Circle

Finally, solid research on "acting white"

Dr. Robert Brown sent me this.

The kicker:

Race-related pressure to avoid or disparage academic challenges did not exist at the elementary grades, the research showed. Rather, researchers found that adolescents in North Carolina harbor a general sentiment against high academic achievement, regardless of race. Researchers documented race-related oppositional attitudes at only one of 11 schools where they interviewed students.

"Our explanation for this finding centers on the extent to which 'rich' white students were overrepresented in rigorous courses and programs, a situation that breeds animosity and resentment among the many toward the privileged few," Darity said.

The research suggests that animosity toward high-achieving students - regardless of race - grows over time and develops from a general concern among elementary-age students about arrogance to a more focused concern among adolescents about academic inequities between status groups.

There are a few other people working on this subject. A sister at Harvard is working fervently on a book coming out with Oxford soon...but this is good work. Makes sense, appears to be using sound methodology. Got to get my hands on the article though.