The Manichean division in children’s experience: Developmental psychology in an anti-Black world

Abstract

Recent research in developmental psychology situates human development in ecological systems. While culturally sensitive variants of ecological systems theory take important strides in identifying how racialization structures the world in which youth develop, limits remain for critical researchers interested in humanity transformation projects. A fundamental error is being made when modern/colonial capitalist Man remains the unquestioned representative of the human. Accordingly, we discuss the case of anti-Blackness in the ecology of Black youth’s development and its origins with the natural slave, arguing that the child–adult trajectory is distorted for Black youth. We argue that anti-Blackness is inextricably tied to capitalism’s historical development and that developmental psychologists concerned with humanization can adopt a decolonial attitude in service of that goal. For developmental psychologists concerned with humanity transformation, we propose a step back from the dominant approach in developmental psychology to better afford an actional stance.

“Be Kind But Not Too Kind”: Black Males' Prosocial Behaviors in the Face of Dehumanization

“…Merely existing as Black presents a level of risk. Adams‐Wiggins and Taylor‐García (2020) contend that while it is valuable to generally consider contextual factors in development, one must explicitly critique and address the ubiquity of anti‐Blackness.…”

Youth-Led Antiracism Research: Making a Case for Participatory Methods and Creative Strategies in Developmental Science

“…In academia, White supremacy culture also emphasizes quantity over quality and a sense of urgency in work affairs, which sets the expectation for academics to "publish or perish." In qualitative research, dominant research paradigms help reproduce Eurocentric empiricism and the epistemic violence in scholarship that narrowly defines the knowledge production process (Adams-Wiggins & Taylor-García, 2020;Berenstain et al, 2021;Malagon et al, 2009). Accordingly, the prevalence of dichotomous (either/or) thinking and an emphasis on "only one right way" of doing things limit our imagination as researchers and can invalidate Black, Indigenous, and other cultural ways of knowing and doing.…”

“…Before we conceptualize youth-led antiracism research, it is necessary to define racism. Since the inception of the United States, racism has employed patriarchal, colonial systems of oppression to maintain White, male, heterosexual, Christian political, institutional, and economic power (Adams-Wiggins & Taylor-García, 2020;Malagon et al, 2009). Therefore, we conceptualize racism as a dynamic system, interdependent with multiple forms of subjugation, that (re)produces oppressive ideologies, practices, and structures that affect the well-being and livelihood of racialized people.…”

“People Are Demanding Justice”: Pandemics, Protests, and Remote Learning Through the Eyes of Immigrant Youth of Color

“…Mosley and colleagues’ (2019) writings on “radical hope” sit in conversation with Ginwright and Cammarota’s (2002) commitment to consciousness and healing, and Fernandez and Langhout’s (2014) re-crafting of “community” through the eyes of residents and neighbors. In our project, we designed an intergenerational, youth-led exploration of community, through a lens of racialized oppression and resistance, appreciative of diasporic roots, the vibrant forms of mutual aid sprouting up throughout the Heights, and the freedom dreams narrated by young people of color bearing witness to collective rage and desire throughout the nation (Adams-Wiggins & Taylor-Garcia, 2020).…”