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South Asian Americans' Identity Journeys to Becoming Critically LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations 2020 South Asian Americans’ Identity Journeys to Becoming Critically Conscious Educators Radhika Khandelwal Loyola Marymount University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd Part of the Asian American Studies Commons, Education Commons, and the Ethnic Studies Commons Recommended Citation Khandelwal, Radhika, "South Asian Americans’ Identity Journeys to Becoming Critically Conscious Educators" (2020). LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations. 930. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/930 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY South Asian Americans’ Identity Journeys to Becoming Critically Conscious Educators by Radhika Khandelwal A dissertation presented to the Faculty of the School of Education, Loyola Marymount University In partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education 2020 South Asian Americans’ Identity Journeys to Becoming Critically Conscious Educators Copyright ©2020 by Radhika Khandelwal ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have immense gratitude for My ancestors and the spiritual energy that continues to guide and protect me Dadima and Dadaji, everything I love about me is because of you. My parents You never said no (at least to this), because you knew. Raghav and Mukul The “Dr. Khandelwal” Club members who are the only support group I will ever need. My colleagues at Geffen Academy Thank you for your support and encouragement. Special thanks to my colleagues in the Student Life Suite. Thank you for really seeing our students and sharing in my vision for what we need to be for them. Thank you for stepping in for me, seamlessly, without judgment or question, countless times over the last three years. Thank you for knowing. My students at Geffen Academy Carissa––watching you develop your Asian American critical consciousness has been one of the biggest sources of joy for me this year. JayLoni––you embody love, liberation, and everything good for our future. The critical praxis I engaged in with you and so many other students at Geffen Academy is my foundation and inspiration for this project. My dissertation committee members, Dr. Rooks and Dr. Kohli Thank you for your guidance and support. Dr. Reilly It all fell so beautifully into place. Thank you for believing in me, in this topic, and for every text, call, and hug. For pushing me, for affirming me, for recognizing me as a scholar before I could. Charan I wonder if I would could ever be for you what you have been for me (don’t answer that). My rock. I love you. iii DEDICATION To my two. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... viii ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 Definition of Key Terms ........................................................................................................... 2 Background ................................................................................................................................ 4 Statement of Problem .............................................................................................................. 12 Research Question ................................................................................................................... 13 Purpose of Study ...................................................................................................................... 13 Significance ............................................................................................................................. 14 Theoretical Frameworks .......................................................................................................... 17 Literature Review Overview ................................................................................................... 30 Research Design and Methodology ......................................................................................... 30 Limitations and Delimitations ................................................................................................. 32 Organization of Study .............................................................................................................. 33 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................. 34 Situating (South) Asians in America: History and Identity ..................................................... 34 The Politics of Naming ................................................................................................ 35 The Dominant Identity Stereotypes of South Asian Americans ................................. 39 A Critical Examination of the Model Minority Myth ............................................................. 45 South Asian Americans and the Internalization of the Model Minority Myth ............ 49 Critical Explanations for South Asian American Success ...................................................... 53 Structural Advantages: Hyperselectivity and High Selectivity ................................... 54 The “Success Frame” .................................................................................................. 55 The Experiences of Asian Americans in Education ................................................................ 58 The Experiences of Asian American Students ............................................................ 59 The Experiences of Asian American Educators .......................................................... 64 Understanding the Need for Critically Conscious Educators .................................................. 72 Why We Need More Teachers of Color ...................................................................... 72 What Constitutes “Critical Consciousness” in Teachers ............................................. 74 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................. 78 Research Question ................................................................................................................... 78 Methodology Rationale ........................................................................................................... 78 Sample Recruitment ................................................................................................................ 80 Participants .............................................................................................................................. 81 Data Collection Procedure ....................................................................................................... 82 Data Recording and Confidentiality Measures ........................................................................ 83 v Emic Perspective, Trust, and Reflexivity in the Interview Process................................ ......... 84 Data Tool (Interview Protocol) ............................................................................................... 87 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 88 Credibility (Validity) and Consistency (Reliability) ............................................................... 89 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................................... 90 Summary .................................................................................................................................. 91 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS ........................................................................................................... 93 Demographic Data ................................................................................................................... 95 Participants’ Reflections on their South Asian American Identity .......................................... 96 Demonstrating a Positive Regard for Ethnic Identity .................................................. 97 Experiencing Racialization as an “Other” ................................................................. 109 Articulating a Sociopolitical Stance as a South Asian American .............................. 115 Critically Examining South Asian Culture ................................................................ 118 Participants’ Actions as South Asian American Educators for Social Justice ....................... 122 Using Values to Guide Professional Decisions ........................................................
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