Themes

Family, Religion, and Spirituality

This theme considers the personal relationship that African-American youth have with their family and the role of faith and religion in their lives. Talking about the family is important because it demonstrates the environment that they grew up in. Historically, the Black church as an institution has played a pivotal role in the Black community as well as a place for Black leadership to develop, so it is important to see if this is still the case.

Media

The media promotes different images, concepts, and behaviors to society; so these questions aim to get at African-American youth responses to these issues.

Education

Historically, civic groups, communities, and civil rights advocates have advocated and promoted education in the African-American community, however, recent reports of low graduation rates of African-American youth (specifically African-American males) may indicate a shift. Thus, these questions aim to understand the relationship African-American youth has with education and schools.

Social Justice

This theme is of particular importance for the African-American community given the historically disproportionate rates of incarceration in the United States.

Sexuality and Gender Roles

Understanding and learning about African-American youth relationships between opposite sexes provide insight into how this important aspect of one’s life is seen by this community.

Living in the South

Ones’ regional background impacts how they see the world and how they interact with others. Thus, this theme asks students to grapple with being an African-American youth in the South, and specifically Charleston, South Carolina