Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons^™

Latinos In Massachusetts Selected Areas: Lynn, Phillip Granberry, Florita Coto Tristán

Gastón Institute Publications

Established in 1989, the Massachusetts Legislature created the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy in response to a need for an improved understanding of the Latino experience in the commonwealth. Now in its 34th year, the Gastón Institute continues its mission of informing the public and policymakers about issues vital to the state’s growing Latino community and providing information and analysis necessary for effective Latino participation in public policy development. To learn more about the Gastón Institute, visit: www.umb.edu/gastoninstitute

Latinos In Massachusetts Selected Areas: Boston, Phillip Granberry, Florita Coto Tristán

Gastón Institute Publications

The City of Boston Planning Department has found that Boston’s population was undercounted in the 2020 Census by as many as 25,000 people and that subsequent population estimates continue to understate the population.1 The Planning Department’s Research Division has developed a tool to display limited demographic data, but these population estimates are insufficient for purposes of this report.2 Therefore, this report uses 2019-2023 American Community Survey and may therefore undercount Boston’s population. Boston, the largest city in the Commonwealth, is home to an estimated 126,647 Latinos. This is the largest Latino population in the state, though other smaller cities (Lawrence, …

Stolen Moments: Jazz And The Opportunity To Capture Hip Hop Fans, Fahiym Abdul-Wasi

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis explores the intricate relationship between jazz and hip-hop, examining how these two influential genres intersect culturally and musically. Jazz, with its rich history and expressive improvisation, laid the groundwork for hip-hop, a genre that emerged as a powerful voice for Black Americans and other disenfranchised communities. The thesis highlights the impact of sampling, a fundamental technique in hip-hop that allows artists to repurpose jazz recordings and thereby preserve their legacy while infusing contemporary narratives. By analyzing key albums and the contributions of notable artists, this study underscores the potential for reintroducing jazz to new audiences through hip-hop. As …

Racial Identity And Belonging Among Asian American Undergraduate Students In The Midwest, Seema M. Dahlheimer

Dissertations

Asian American students are often deemed overrepresented in higher education, leading to inequities in admissions, scholarships, and student support. This perception feeds and is fed by the model minority stereotype, which characterizes Asian Americans as hard-working and high-achieving and creates intense pressure to succeed academically (Poon et al., 2016). In addition, Asian American college students often experience racism and xenophobia, which can undermine their sense of belonging on campus. However, in the Midwest, where their immigration is more recent and conversations about race are often framed in terms of Black and white, Asian Americans often feel invisible and othered (Lee, …

It's Deeper Than Rap. Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Faculty With Hip-Hop Epistemologies Through Counterstory, Austin Ashe

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation study explores the experiences of Black professors who carry Hip-Hop epistemologies and utilize Hip-Hop as a method to navigate the social and structural systems within their predominantly white institutions (PWIs). Grounded in Critical Race Theory, the study utilizes narrative inquiry and counterstorytelling. The analysis involved the development of a composite counterstory featuring the fictional protagonist, Hampton Franklin. The findings highlight common experiences among participants. Findings suggest that Black faculty are insiders whose positions grant them access and influence. Second, they are outsiders that navigate hypervisibility, invisibility, and racial battle fatigue. Third, each participant was a “pedagogue of the …

The Female Body In Visual Narratives, Dolly Sharma

Journal of Gender, Ethnic, and Cross-Cultural Studies

When a photographer seeks to capture the culture of a particular place inhabited by a minority group in society, a pertinent question arises as to how one might capture the female body in ways that avoid eroticisation while still conveying the photographer’s intent. The way photographers approach the Himalayan and Indian regions is particularly complex when they must decide whether to ask women to pose themselves in order to frame the multiple narratives that emerge out of a female body—such as motherhood, nurturing an infant, ornamentation and adornment, and the bodily manifestations of patriarchal and prejudicial practices. Photographer Olivier Föllmi, …

Refashioning The Meanings Of Dress In Palestinian Transnational Communities, Enaya Othman

Journal of Gender, Ethnic, and Cross-Cultural Studies

This paper examines how Palestinian women in both the homeland and diaspora contexts have sustained and redefined cultural heritage through tatreez embroidery and revitalized the traditional thob since 1948. As designers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, they have transformed cultural dress into a site of socio-political agency, economic empowerment, and national identity-making. Their work not only preserves inherited forms but also recasts them as living cultural practices that resist colonial erasure and counter Orientalist and Western feminist narratives portraying Arab and Muslim women as passive. From post-Nakba efforts to safeguard thobs as tangible material testaments of Palestinian life to contemporary hybrid fashion …

The Layers Of Trauma In Gisella Perl’S I Was A Doctor In Auschwitz, Tiffany Sidders

Journal of Gender, Ethnic, and Cross-Cultural Studies

Contemporary trauma theory argues that trauma operates in a binary, linear fashion that represents healing from a crisis. As one of the foremost trauma theorists, Cathy Caruth situates trauma within a binary framework of either victim or perpetrator but does not fully account for victims who became perpetrators or those who perpetrated for survival—or for the survival of others. One example of such a figure is Gisella Perl. In her memoir I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz, Perl describes multiple layers of trauma that create a deeper connection to her emotions and her lived experience in Auschwitz. Unlike other …

Understanding Black Students Experiences Through Faithcrit, P. J. Welch, Timothy P. Westbrook, Larissa Malone

Journal of Graduate Education Research

Abstract

Many faith-based higher education institutions have sought to improve the experiences of Black students. Yet, they often fail to understand Black students' unique experiences. What are the experiences of Black students at a Christian higher education institution? This qualitative study explores the experiences of Black students at one Christian higher education institution, focusing on their social experiences, retention strategies, and faith in their academic journey. Black alumni and current students were interviewed about Black students' experiences and retention at a Christian institution. This study utilizes the theoretical lens of FaithCrit, a new branch within critical race theory that delves …

Re-Imagine Paradise: The Impacts Of The Illegal Annexation Of Hawai'i & Tourism On Native Hawaiians, Paige Edwards

SMU Journal of Undergraduate Research

This literature review presents a vital exploration of colonialism, the illegal annexation of Hawai’i, and the subsequent emergence of the tourism industry as a neocolonial enterprise. Neocolonialism is the process of colonial dominance through modern exploitation, which is masked through economic opportunities and has left territories and their native people dependent on it. By tracing the major historical events in Hawai’i highlights how education was a vital aspect of Native Hawaiian culture, empowering its people - a stark contrast to the current education system where the education system perpetuates the commodification of Native Hawaiian culture. Education has played a pivotal …

August 26, 2025 Nagpra And Tribal Relations Committee Meeting Minutes, Bryan Morey

University NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee

August 26, 2025 minutes for the WKU NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee meeting. Meeting conducted via Zoom.

Socio-Cultural Correlates Of Breastfeeding Behavior Among Latina Mothers And Its Implications For Child Health, Liliana Davalos, Brisa Rodriguez Alcantar, Marissa Martinez, Christopher Johansen

Social and Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Background: Latina mothers in the United States report lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Lower rates of breastfeeding in infancy may lead to a higher rate of excess weight in childhood and adverse health conditions. Breastfeeding disparities in Latina women have been previously correlated with socio-cultural factors such as acculturation, education, income, nativity, and marital status. This study examines whether socio-cultural factors are associated with breastfeeding behaviors in Latina mothers in Nevada. Methods: Participants were Latina mothers [n = 214] over 18 years of age, with a child 2–5 years old. A logistic regression was …

Shifting From Damage Towards Desire At History Colorado: An Exploratory Case Study, Amanda Cali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the paradigm shift within the fields of anthropology and museum studies away from decolonization and towards indigenization through a case study of the changes in museological practices of the History Colorado Center in Denver, Colorado, and one of its community museums, the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose, Colorado. This thesis examines the changes in consultation and collaboration, the care and stewardship of collections, the implementation of the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials (PNAAM), and co-curation of exhibits. This thesis looks at the paradigm shift as a movement away from “damage-based research” within communities to “desire-centered research” …

Beyond The Benefit: A Multi-Modal Narrative Study Of Black Women's Experiences With Employer-Sponsored Tuition Assistance, Britany Patricia Hamilton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of Black women engaging with employer-sponsored tuition assistance programs, focusing on how social, structural, and identity-based factors shape their educational and professional trajectories. While these benefits are often framed as neutral tools for career advancement, this study examines them through the intersecting lenses of race, gender, and labor, revealing deeper dynamics of access, value, and belonging. Guided by a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, this study employed a multi-modal data collection design involving video diaries, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group. Three participants, all Black women between the ages of 30 and 40, shared their …

Examining Whiteness: A Narrative Inquiry Into Racial Identity Among White Women In Study Abroad Programs, Audrey Moreno Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to better understand race in contexts both domestically and abroad through the perspectives and experiences of white women who studied abroad outside of Europe and the Anglosphere. The investigation explored on how these experiences shaped white women’s understanding of racial identity upon returning to their home institutions. The research question which was addressed was: How do white women experience study abroad programming? Research highlights a critical gap in existing literature on this topic. While white women are centered in the study, it is contextualized considering how People of Color experience the world. …

Examining Barriers To Crisis Service Use Among Black Young Adults, Emily K. Burns

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Black communities face an increased burden of mental illness (Gordon, 2020). This can be linked to factors such as experiences of racism, higher rates of unemployment, financial and food insecurity, and disparities in health care (Gordon, 2020). Despite this, Black communities have historically experienced relatively low rates of suicide (Gordon, 2020). This has been anecdotally attributed to protective cultural values and beliefs about suicide. However, there has been a recent shift in this trend, particularly for Black youth and young adults.

The Residual Impact Of Slavery On How Enslaved Black Females Defined And Made Meaning Of Sexual Violence: A Content Analysis, Suzanne R. Bates

Dissertations

Thompson-Miller & Picca (2016) and Feimster (2023) argued that enslaved African American women, and even free African Americans after the Civil War were victims of non-consensual sexual activity and rape. The NISVS report revealed that before the age of 18 years old, 35.5% of African American women experienced contact sexual violence, 29.5% experienced non-contact unwanted sexual encounters, and 20.7% experienced rape (Basile et al., 2022). Researchers of slave scholarship have made the case for the importance of including discourse on slavery and enslaved Black females’ experiences when discussing present day sexual violence among Black women in the US today (Balfour, …

Perceptions Of Racial Inequality And Attitudes Toward The Criminal Justice System: Results From The 2022 General Social Survey, Elizabeth A. Hien

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Culturally Relevant Content On Social Media Engagement In Indigenous Communities, Giselle Gourd

Summer Research Showcase

Digital marketing has become extremely successful in recent years, particularly through the use of social media platforms. Having a better understanding of the use of culturally relevant content can help to increase engagement across various social media platforms. The purpose of this study is to better understand how Native American tribes can utilize digital marketing most successfully. To do so, I will first utilize a literature review of Native American representation in the media, the influence of cultural values on consumer behavior, and how effective digital marketing can be for business success. I will then analyze the engagement rates of …

Planting Roots: A Pedagogy Of Action, Veronica Rose Popp, Danielle Phillips-Cunningham

Feminist Pedagogy

We discuss how we put feminist pedagogies into action while developing a collaborative research and writing project about Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879-1961). We also explore how our collaborative research project influenced the development of a happy, fruitful, and long-lasting research partnership that broadens the conversation about incorporating feminist teaching practices into higher education. Burroughs set students on ways to find their own pathways, affecting change in ways they found most important. We engaged in our project with similar commitments.

Front Matter, Maya America Editors

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

Includes Cover Art, Definitions, and Table of Contents

Introductory Note: Maya America Volume 7 Issue 1 2025, Robin Chancer, Alan Lebaron

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

Maya America Volume 7 Issue 1 presents essays, commentaries, and literature that directly or indirectly address our theme for this journal issue: “Maya Cosmic Health.” The authors examine various topics of health, and the collective work addresses the meaning of health as understood through Maya cosmovision. The editors of this special issue aim to encourage bridge-building between Maya health cosmovision and biomedical or psychological practitioners. In addition, we recognize the opportunity to address rapidly changing technological realities, the responses of Maya peoples, and the emerging potentialities for partnerships.

Book Review: Ch’Ul Mut: Sacred Bird Messengers Of The Chamula Maya, David Stoll

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

by Maruch Méndez Pérez and Diane Rus University of New Mexico Press, 2023 xli + 365 pp., 75 black-and-white photos, 77 color plates, 4 appendixes

Guatemalan Maya Women’S Attitudes Towards Biomedical Contraception After Migrating To The United States, Shreenaya Prabu, Iris Parshley, Robert Malkin

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

Medical providers in the United States who discuss the use of contraceptives with Maya women migrants might discover strong reluctance and complex beliefs about the social and physical benefits of biomedical contraceptive measures. This research report presents information about contraceptive usage among Maya in Guatemala and how usage or attitudes toward contraception might have changed while living in the United States. The research team, during 2024, interviewed six adult female Guatemalan Maya refugees over Zoom to understand their thoughts toward contraceptive use before and after migrating. Discussion points included: lack of sexual education in Guatemala, health concerns arising from using …

Paris Trip Blog: The Codex Pérez And The Unesco Conference On Language Technologies, Gaspar Tomas

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

Gaspar Tomas discusses his trip to Paris, where he attended the UNESCO conference on language technologies. Gaspar has long studied and lived within Maya cosmology; thus he also visited the Codex Pérez. Gaspar explains that technology can and must be employed in the preservation of Indigenous languages. In his own words: “Just as our ancestors once protected our languages, we must remember that ancestral knowledge is not lost; it simply waits to be reclaimed. The responsibility now lies with us to preserve, promote, and archive our voices to shape our future better.”

Full Issue - Maya America V7, I1, Maya America Editors

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

Full issue of Maya America, volume 7, issue 1.

Integration Of Modern Treatments With The Cosmology Of Health Contributes Integrally To Physical, Emotional And Community Wellbeing, An K'A'Ch Guzmán Marcos

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

An K'a'ch Guzmán Marcos, an Ixil health care worker in the Ixil region, Guatemala, describes how cosmology forms an integral part of the people's identity. She describes the importance of cosmic health to the lives of the people, and the increasingly successful efforts of Ixil workers to build bridges of understanding with the biomedical medical profession.

Ancestral Languages In The Digital Age: My Experience At Unesco Presenting A Paper Entirely In Kaqchikel, Kawoq Baldomero Cuma Chávez

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

Baldomero Cuma gave an invited presentation to the International LT4All UNESCO conference in Paris. He gave his presentation entirely in the Kaqchikel language. In this commentary, Baldomero discusses his beliefs about language and why he presented at the conference in his Maya language. To Baldomero, Maya language preservation has profound connections to the integral being of the Maya, and language preservation should be much more than mere academic research and information collection. As he writes, "In our homes, from the womb of our mother and at birth, we hear our identity, starting with the 'ta, ta, ta, ta' or with …

Mi Experiencia En La Unesco Al Presentar Una Ponencia Totalmente En Kaqchikel, Kawoq Baldomero Cuma Chávez

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

Por primera vez un hablante nativo de kaqchikel se dirigió a una conferencia mundial de la UNESCO completamente en una lengua ancestral. El educador, autor y guía espiritual maya Baldomero Cuma Chávez hizo historia en París, Francia, en la Conferencia LT4ALL 2025: Language Technologies for All, con una convincente presentación sobre la preservación digital de las lenguas mayas. El discurso de Cuma Chávez en kaqchikel, una lengua con aproximadamente 475 000 hablantes, marca un antes y un después en el reconocimiento mundial del patrimonio lingüístico indígena. Su presentación destacó la creciente necesidad de integrar a las lenguas mayas en los …

Maya Migrants And Psychotherapy: Recommendations And A Case Study From Comunidad Sol In Canton, Ohio, Robin Chancer, Gerónimo Ramírez, Ernesto Ajanel Calel, María Ixcoy Mejía

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

This article approaches the question: How can non-Indigenous mental health practitioners work appropriately with Maya K’iche’ and Ixil communities in the United States? The authors are three Maya leaders and one non-Indigenous psychotherapist, the four of whom have worked together for several years. Psychological treatment rooted in Euro-American paradigms can be minimally helpful—if not harmful—to many Indigenous communities (Dudgeon & Bray, 2016). Traditional approaches such as cognitive-behavior therapy continue the colonial preoccupation with individual pathology and the separation of mind, body, spirit, and nature. The authors suggest that more appropriate approaches would include acknowledging structural oppression and centering the K’iche’ …