Search for Identity: The role of African and African American perceptions of identity in shaping how they relate to each other
This Research attempts to study the role that perception of identity has played in the interactions between racially similar but historically and culturally different groups, Africans and African Americans. Perceptions of identity and day-to-day relationships between African and African Americans are often influenced by misunderstandings and stereotypes. A survey to test perceptions of identity was given to 30 students, half African the other half African American taken from student programs at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. A follow up audiotaped group discussion was then conducted with eight interested; four from each ethnic group to gain in-depth views and opinions of the stereotypes and misperceptions associated with these identities. Due to the nature of the sample the results of this project can only be generalized to fit this sample. The results obtained from the survey and focus group discussion show that the perceptions of Africans and African Americans of their individual identities, whether negative or positive are often reflective of the larger relationships among these ethnic groups.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
N/A
Research Advisor:
James Anderson
Department of Research Advisor:
Educational Policy Studies
Year of Publication:
2002