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@THm, yes, Dr. Ogbu. I remember him well from my college's Afro-American history class. In fact, we had a week-long discussion and debate on him.

I said then, as I do now, that the concept of "acting white" might be more applicable at schools in which blacks are a minority. As anedoctal evidence, I considered my own education (100% black except 1st grade), those of my friends, the schools I visited during my independent study and those where I volunteered after I came to DC. All of them attended largely black schools. I do not believe that students w/in top of their classes are chided for acting white because they're acting like the other black students who are more studious. There isn't an immediate and visible parallel...if that makes sense.

OTOH, I have seen more blacks who grew up or were schooled in environment where they are the minority, have the "acting white" label thrown at them. In that context, I believe it's more of a cultural thing than an academic one.

John Ogbu, hadn't heard that name in years.

by HogWash on Jul 20, 2012 9:22 am • link • report