Reclaiming Black Spirit: Redefining Social Justice Leadership with and for Black Youth in Jesuit Secondary Schools
Abstract
There were contradictions from the beginning regarding Jesuit education’s mission of faith, which does justice and supports African American male students. Limited research examined the experiences of African American males attending Jesuit secondary schools and their perceived support from Jesuit school leadership in ensuring they had increased feelings of belonging, inclusion, and culture through social justice efforts. In order to address this gap, this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study centers on the lived experiences of African American male alumni in Jesuit secondary schools regarding social justice leadership and how they make meaning of their racialized and gendered experiences while attending a predominantly White Jesuit secondary school. By utilizing African American Male Theory (AAMT) as a theoretical framework (Bush & Bush, 2013), the research informs social justice leadership practices within Jesuit education to create more inclusive learning environments. Through semi-structured interviews, journaling, and examination of artifacts, the research reimagines social justice leadership practices while contributing to a deeper understanding of how Jesuit secondary schools can better support African American males and confront racial injustice within the educational system. Data analysis included thematic analysis. Findings exposed a pervasive presence of racial violence, both physical and psychological, that was deeply rooted and entrenched in the attitude and actions of leadership. Moreover, empirical findings underscored the importance of spaces of fugitivity or Black Fugitive Space for the Black male alumni. Acting as sanctuaries, these Black Fugitive Spaces were constructed in defiance of anti-Black racism, becoming bastions for resilience, reclamation, and love.
