Introduction to the Special Issue: Males of Color and School Counseling

Abstract

The sense of urgency for addressing the concerns of males of color cannot be overstated. The reality of racial discrimination and trauma is present for males of color in urban, suburban, and rural settings and regardless of their socioeconomic status. Such oppressive conditions in education, criminal justice, health, and employment, for example, wreak havoc on their overall well-being and advancement in society. Until the systems constraining the progress of males of color are addressed through substantive policy and practice, the social, economic, and educational struggles will persist. This special issue presents 19 theoretical, qualitative, and quantitative articles focusing specifically on the experiences of males of color in educational settings and the importance of school counselors in helping them to thrive.

Antiracist school counseling: A consensual qualitative study

“…; ASCA, 2022a, p. 8) relevant to their counseling practice and program. Given these ethical mandates, it is essential that school counselor educators intentionally infuse programing that highlights how to explore personal cultural biases, as well as how educational settings create systemic racial disparities and how school counselors can advocate for and create systemic change within their school settings (Mayes & Byrd, 2022; Moore et al., 2021).…”

Evidence-Based School Counseling: Embracing Challenges/Changes to the Existing Paradigm

“…Although considering addressing the pervasive inequity and injustice created by structural racism and exacerbated by a global health pandemic may seem overwhelming, school counselors are ideally situated to implement preventative and developmental interventions that increase wellness and social justice outcomes (Henry & Bryan, 2021; Holcomb-McCoy, 2022; Lemberger-Truelove & Bowers, 2019; Levy & Lemberger-Truelove, 2021; J. L. Moore et al, 2021).…”

“…L. Moore et al, 2021). The question is not if the issues exist, or if they are within our purview as school counselors to address (Henry & Bryan, 2021; Levy & Lemberger-Truelove, 2021; J. L. Moore et al, 2021), but rather whether we are defining these issues as the problems of practice to which we give our time and expertise.…”

“…Although considering addressing the pervasive inequity and injustice created by structural racism and exacerbated by a global health pandemic may seem overwhelming, school counselors are ideally situated to implement preventative and developmental interventions that increase wellness and social justice outcomes (Henry & Bryan, 2021;Holcomb-McCoy, 2022;Lemberger-Truelove & Bowers, 2019;Levy & Lemberger-Truelove, 2021; J. L. Moore et al, 2021). The question is not if the issues exist, or if they are within our purview as school counselors to address (Henry & Bryan, 2021;Levy & Lemberger-Truelove, 2021; J. L. Moore et al, 2021), but rather whether we are defining these issues as the problems of practice to which we give our time and expertise. This can be informed by the first step in the evidence-based school counseling approach, namely, asking "What are the issues that are keeping our students from being successful?…”

Understanding the Black male experience: Recommendations for clinical, community, and school settings

“…Black males occupy a unique and vicarious position in society. In many circles within the Black community, they are portrayed as upholders of strength, courage, and resilience (Boyd & Mitchell, 2018; Burt et al., 2016; Hillard, 1974; Moore et al., 2021). That said, commensurate with the perception of power and bravery sometimes come contempt, jealousy, and fear (Bonner et al., 2021; Bowleg et al., 2022; Vereen et al., 2017).…”