Mobilizing Blackness: Analyzing 21st Century Black Student Collective Agency in the University

Abstract

Black student activism in the 21st century has gained international notoriety with popular movements such as

Becoming an Africana Activist Scholar: David C. Turner, III and Black Graduate Student Activism as Professional Development, A Case Study

“…He is motivated by and for racial justice in education as well as in the broader Movement for Black Lives. Turner (2020) asserts, “I am not just interested in the work of organizing for its own sake; I am deeply invested in the practice of transforming institutions of education with and for Black people.” As the curtain falls on Turner’s time in his doctoral program, he begins to eye his future in the academy with greater interest. A graduate student seeking to become a faculty member in higher education should be prepared to publish, teach, and fulfill service obligations.…”

“…The goal for Turner was to “find meaning from organizers interested in social transformation” through an examination of Black student organizing, neoliberalism and higher education, and the rearticulation of Black student collective agency. This rearticulation of Black student collective agency refers to “the ways that Black students mobilize their identities and agencies in the same vein as the legacy of Black student organizing to leverage their university-student status” (Turner, 2020). Turner (2020) contributes to the existing body of knowledge that, “Black students are effectively able to: (a) see themselves joining larger struggles for Black liberation through catalytic events, (b) leverage university resources and access to address material conditions, and (c) negotiate the realities and limitations of college student access for larger struggles for Black liberation.”…”

“…He contends that, “For an activist scholar, accountability means that one is in a reciprocal relationship with communities and their struggles for freedom. It is not enough to merely ‘study’ them- you and your particular skill set have to be of value to the community at hand” (Turner, 2020). This ethical consideration for community is key for Africana activist-scholars working with and in the community in which they have an affinity.…”

“…There is a growing amount of literature on student activism in general, and student activism as a form of learning more specifically (Claybrook, 2021; Clay & Turner, 2021; Dache et al, 2019; Quaye, 2007; Rojas, 2007; Turner, 2020). In addition, there is no shortage of literature guiding doctoral students and candidates into the professoriate (Cahn, 2008; Gardner et al, 2010; Iding & Thomas, 2015).…”