Papers by Theodore Ransaw
Communications of the ACM
Moving education beyond computer science pipelines.
Handbook of College Reading and Study Strategy Research, 2018
Diversity in Higher Education
Simon & Schuster UK, Oct 25, 2018
The Social Science Journal, 2013
Closing the Education Achievement Gaps for African American Males
What are the educational and cultural barriers that limit opportunities and ultimately the life c... more What are the educational and cultural barriers that limit opportunities and ultimately the life chances of young African American males in contemporary society? How might we draw from the existing, progressive components of Black male popular culture to produce more positive outcomes for these young men? Theodore Ransaw, an education specialist in the K-12 Outreach Program at Michigan State University, examines the social science and education literature in an effort to form a cohesive discussion of not only what specific problems young Black males face, but what might be done to remedy the situation. Ransaw argues that public education has not only failed lack boys but refused to accept responsibility for this failure, preferring to engage in victim blaming: the failure of lack boys derives from their aggressive behavior, language, and even music genres, particularly hip hop and rap, all of which are a part of Black masculinity. This, in turn, discourages young Black men from active engagement in the seemingly feminized school culture. Ransaw combines an academic discussion of social theory with personal stories from his own experiences as he tries to grapple with shifting meanings of Black masculinity. One constant appears to be the art of being cool, which Ransaw defines as the seemingly effortless performance of masculinity (p. 33). More specifically, the ability to balance academic and social capital successfully. President Obama is used as a potential positive role model: someone who is intelligent, attractive, has swag – in other words, someone who has mastered the art of being cool. More specifically, the nine chapters in this short volume examine several facets of African American masculinity, including the pitfalls and possibilities of progressive hip hop, especially if it is successfully integrated into school pedagogy. While acknowledging the negative outcomes associated with those who listen to hip-hop, Ransaw argues that “hip-hop is a global, modern rite of passage, providing adolescents space in which to create, experiment and perform ideas of identity . . .,” including masculinity. It can be used positively and effectively to communicate educational instruction to multiple learners” (p. 123). Multiple
Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men, 2014
Handbook of African American psychology, ed. BM …, 2008
... In general, rigorous investigations of hip-hop music and culture take notions of standpoint o... more ... In general, rigorous investigations of hip-hop music and culture take notions of standpoint or phenomenology very seriously (Boyd-Franklin & Franklin, 2000; DMX, 2002; Dyson, 2001; Kelley, 1996; T. Rose, 1994a, 1994b; Scott, 2000; Shakur, 1999; Simmons, 2001). ...
Genders, Cultures, and Literacies, 2021
The Social Science Journal, 2013
The Handbook of Research on Black Males
Emerging Issues and Trends in Education
Literacies, Sexualities, and Gender, 2018
Although there is a great deal of research on hegemonic masculinity, fathering involvement and a ... more Although there is a great deal of research on hegemonic masculinity, fathering involvement and a father's influence on his children's educational outcomes, little empirical research has linked these practices to African American fathers. Because they are typically depicted as ineffective, irresponsible and non-present, African American fathers who are involved in their children's lives must do so in ways that affirm their identity, ways that are contrary to the common social conceptions and media representations of Black men. Using the framework of hegemonic masculinity, this study examined how the increase of women in the workforce translates to both the amount of time an African American father spends with his children and what he does as an involved father in regards to his children's positive educational outcomes. Data were collected from African American fathers or African American stepfathers between the ages of 18 and 52 using 9 semi-structured interviews, 6 video clip reflections and 7 observational sessions. The results overwhelmingly contradict the image of African American fathers as irresponsible and uninvolved fathers Aas well as shed new insights into fathering involvement.
Emerging Issues and Trends in Education
Although there is a great deal of research on hegemonic masculinity, fathering involvement and a ... more Although there is a great deal of research on hegemonic masculinity, fathering involvement and a father's influence on his children's educational outcomes, little empirical research has linked these practices to African American fathers. Because they are typically depicted as ineffective, irresponsible and non-present, African American fathers who are involved in their children's lives must do so in ways that affirm their identity, ways that are contrary to the common social conceptions and media representations of Black men. Using the framework of hegemonic masculinity, this study examined how the increase of women in the workforce translates to both the amount of time an African American father spends with his children and what he does as an involved father in regards to his children's positive educational outcomes. Data were collected from African American fathers or African American stepfathers between the ages of 18 and 52 using 9 semi-structured interviews, 6 video clip reflections and 7 observational sessions. The results overwhelmingly contradict the image of African American fathers as irresponsible and uninvolved fathers Aas well as shed new insights into fathering involvement.
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Papers by Theodore Ransaw
American Males is a research-based tool to improve
the schooling experience of African American males.
Editors Theodore S. Ransaw and Richard Majors draw
together a collection of writings that provide muchneeded
engagement with issues of gender and identity
for black males, as well as those of culture, media, and
technology, in the context of education.