Beyond Survival

Abstract

“Beyond Survival: A Portrait of Latin@ Identity in North Carolina” reveals the complex identities developed by Latin@s living in the US state of North Carolina since the start of the 21st century. The chapter reviews qualitative research conducted on Latin@ communities in the state using meta-ethnographic synthesis. It also takes into account the personal experiences of two Latin@ doctoral students who moved to the state to engage in research. The resulting synthesis illustrates how Latin@ communities are developing new discourses and forging spaces through education, identity, and fuerzas (strength) in the face of systematic barriers. The emergence of supervivencia (beyond mere survival) also resists deficit perspectives on Latin@s in the state.

Counter-narratives as resistance: Creating critical social studies spaces with communities

“…In conducting this critical ethnography, it is central to acknowledge my positionalities. I interrogate my identities and epistemologies as part of the process of deconstructing privilege and power (Ender & Rodriguez, 2018;Madison, 2012). I am a multi-ethnic white male.…”

“…Similarly, Rosita spoke against the traditional training of elementary pre-service teachers rooted in white privilege. She positions her Latina identity and relationship with la comunidad (the community) in teaching elementary social studies (Ender & Rodriguez, 2018). Her students learning about positive Latinx individuals in U.S. society suggests an attempt at establishing Latinxs as part of the New Latino South, thus disrupting the historical black-white binary (Salinas et al, 2016).…”