EMPOWERING YOUTH: HOW ENGAGEMENT AS YOUNG ACTIVIST INTERNS DEVELOPS THE CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN YOUTH

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Wagner, K. (2019). EMPOWERING YOUTH: HOW ENGAGEMENT AS YOUNG ACTIVIST INTERNS DEVELOPS THE CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN YOUTH. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

This qualitative dissertation, positioned within a critical consciousness conceptual framework examined the shared experiences of eight Southeast Asian youth, as they engaged in an activism internship at a movement-based youth program. It documented the internship, within the context of the youth program, where the researcher served as a mentor and advocate for six years. This dissertation study followed the interns as they engaged in lessons and direct actions focused on social, racial, and gender justice. Further, it explored how engagement as an intern shaped the immigrant youth experiences and developed their critical consciousness in the face of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies, and systemic discrimination. Data were collected, first informally for five years preceding this study, in the form of field observations as the researcher engaged as a mentor and advocate with the youth program. During the course of the activism internship, data were collected through individual interviews, field observations, and archived data analysis. Each participant’s experiences were examined, and themes emerged through the development of a short case study using their interviews, observations, and data collected through the examination of their final projects. The youth participants’ shared experiences along with an analysis through a critical consciousness lens reveal that engagement in an activism internship developed their critical reflection, political efficacy, and critical action. The findings of this study indicated that the shared experiences of the participants, including engagement as an activism intern, allowed for the development of their critical consciousness. While this process was ongoing, and each participant approached their time as an intern at different points in the development process, the activism internship exposed the participants to issues impacting the Southeast Asian community. Engagement as an intern also allowed the participants to examine the systems within which they live, and learn how to take action against those systems. Further, this study exposed how community-based organizations allow immigrant youth the space and experiences to deeply examine anti-immigrant systems and policies. Findings of this study added to critical consciousness theory scholarship, which empowers marginalized peoples to take action against oppressive forces. It informed future research by exposing the need for community-based organizations to incorporate activism and advocacy programming.

Details
Author

Wagner, Kathryn

Title

EMPOWERING YOUTH: HOW ENGAGEMENT AS YOUNG ACTIVIST INTERNS DEVELOPS THE CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN YOUTH

Physical Description

1 online resource (200 pages) : PDF

Date

2019

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

This qualitative dissertation, positioned within a critical consciousness conceptual framework examined the shared experiences of eight Southeast Asian youth, as they engaged in an activism internship at a movement-based youth program. It documented the internship, within the context of the youth program, where the researcher served as a mentor and advocate for six years. This dissertation study followed the interns as they engaged in lessons and direct actions focused on social, racial, and gender justice. Further, it explored how engagement as an intern shaped the immigrant youth experiences and developed their critical consciousness in the face of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies, and systemic discrimination. Data were collected, first informally for five years preceding this study, in the form of field observations as the researcher engaged as a mentor and advocate with the youth program. During the course of the activism internship, data were collected through individual interviews, field observations, and archived data analysis. Each participant’s experiences were examined, and themes emerged through the development of a short case study using their interviews, observations, and data collected through the examination of their final projects. The youth participants’ shared experiences along with an analysis through a critical consciousness lens reveal that engagement in an activism internship developed their critical reflection, political efficacy, and critical action. The findings of this study indicated that the shared experiences of the participants, including engagement as an activism intern, allowed for the development of their critical consciousness. While this process was ongoing, and each participant approached their time as an intern at different points in the development process, the activism internship exposed the participants to issues impacting the Southeast Asian community. Engagement as an intern also allowed the participants to examine the systems within which they live, and learn how to take action against those systems. Further, this study exposed how community-based organizations allow immigrant youth the space and experiences to deeply examine anti-immigrant systems and policies. Findings of this study added to critical consciousness theory scholarship, which empowers marginalized peoples to take action against oppressive forces. It informed future research by exposing the need for community-based organizations to incorporate activism and advocacy programming.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers

Degree

Ph.D.

Keywords

Afterschool Programs
Critical Consciousness
Southeast Asian Immigrants
Youth Activism

Subject Area

Curriculum & Instruction

Advisor(s)

Kolano, Lan

Committee Members

Medina, Adriana
Thorstensson Davila, Liv
Wang, Chuang

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2019.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Wagner_uncc_0694D_12259

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:2065