Copyright by Delandrea Serita Hall 2021 The Dissertation Committee for Delandrea Serita Hall Certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Straight from the Underground: Teachers of Color, Hip Hop, and the Remixing of Social Studies Committee: Cinthia S. Salinas, Supervisor Anthony L. Brown Joshua Childs Kristen E. Duncan Katherina Payne Amanda E. Vickery Straight from the Underground: Teachers of Color, Hip Hop, and the Remixing of Social Studies by Delandrea Serita Hall Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin May 2021 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to all my present and former students, and teachers both formal and informal. Each lesson I have learned from all of you has brought me to this point. Acknowledgements My dissertation is like the grand finale, the final bow, of my graduate career, and because I like to do things in unconventional ways, I’m going take a different approach to my acknowledgements. I stand on the shoulders of so many people who have gotten me to this place. So, like every great artist/musician/rapper, I’m going step to the mic and shoutout all the people who have supported me on this journey. Additionally, because my dissertation explores Hip Hop, I’m going to compare everyone (mostly everyone) to people who are a part of the culture. Undoubtedly, I will unintentionally leave someone off my list – as all artist accepting awards do; lay any error to my head and not my heart, I promise I will make it up to you when I see you. Now, waving at my supporters as I walk up to the mic, I tap it, “I can’t believe I made it.” Then I begin! First and foremost, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Stepping out my make-believe acceptance speech for a second, in all seriousness, sometimes I do not think I would have made it through this process without my faith. In fact, I know would not have finished. This rollercoaster is a rough ride and there were many times I wanted off, but then I would hear a gospel song or a sermon with just the right message or someone would tell me they were praying for me, and it was just what I needed to cheer up, refocus, and charge ahead. Returning to my acceptance speech. Second, I would like to thank my participants. You all are the various artists to my DJ Khaled. I may have provided the structure or the beat, but the song at the end of the day reflects all your voices, stories, and knowledge. I learned so much from each conversation or “choppin it up” session, lesson observation, email, and text message. This work is intimately yours as much as mine, and I would not have been able to complete v this project, during a pandemic no less, without you all. You all amaze me and it was an honor to work with you! Third, I would like to send a special shout to my social studies office buddies and colleagues at UT – Heath, Michael Joseph, Melissa, Joanna, and Daniel. When we were on campus, you all allowed me to barge in your offices, even when you were busy, to bounce ideas off and listen to me rant about things that annoyed me. When we were forced off campus, you all checked in because you knew I was stressed, volunteered to teach my classes, and took over much of the workload. Quirky, talented, fresh, and unique we are a Tanks and The Bangas sort of crew. On an individual note, Daniel thanks for the laughs and walks outside, stay open and true to who you are. Joanna, you may have been one of the last ones in (for me), but you came in with a confidence I wish I had, and you are always so kind. You know yourself and what is important to you and the work you want to do. I admire that so much and I am excited to see what you put out! Melissa, my CUFA roommate and friend, you are always so thoughtful and have the biggest heart. It is a heart that texted me at random moments to let me know I could make it and do anything, and you remind me that it is important to remain human in this process. Thank you for everything and for being open and a wonderful person. Michael Joseph, who would have thought I would become so close with the guy I thought looked like a wet noodle and Luigi? I know I roast you all the time, but the truth is this last semester, last year, would not have been the same without you. You are funny, laid-back, and hard-working, and you care deeply about people. I am so fortunate to call you friend, and even though you do not think so, I know you will do many great things. Finally, Heath, you are one of the sweetest and considerate people I know. You also are the best listener anyone could ask for. I can talk to you for a long time about anything, including the Cowboys which is hard in this bunch. Having you as an officemate and vi colleague was always so assuring because I knew I never had to worry about being myself. You have a big heart and work so hard, I just hope you start being more kind to yourself, as kind as you are to other people. I know what you can do, and I am excited for your big year in 2022. Next, I would like to thank my former UT, now outside of UT, crew! Because there are many of you and you all have rooted me, I would say you all are like The Roots to my Questlove. However, that is not quite right so I’m going to rename us Burnt Roots (get it … burnt orange like UT, and you all root me; it’s not great but go with it) and go in individually adding my own members. Let me start with MJ, one of the coolest people I know much like Pharrell Williams. I remember when I met you when I came to visit and see if I really wanted to return to UT. You told me then I could call anytime, and when I did finally return you offered advice, reminded me to be myself, and never allow the institution to get to me. During the job search process, you also were an ear to talk things through and think about how to approach interviews. Thank you for always reminding me what matters most – being myself and having fun. Neil, you are the other producer in the crew, Timbaland (to my Missy) to be exact. I never would have guessed when I arrived at UT that I would meet someone who way is more into teaching economics than me, but I did and you have taught me so much. You are also one of the kindest and most generous and warmest people I know and my academic partner in crime. I feel so fortunate to work I get to work with you. Thank you for being an awesome human being and bringing me along with you in the writing world; and for allowing me to poke fun and give you a hard time (you are getting good at the comebacks and poking back though), I don’t know what I would do without you! Now for my girls! The ladies of my rag-tag UT crew – Anna, Esther, and Noreen, like if TLC joined the crew. I would have never made it through any of this without you vii all to laugh with and eat with and talk about TV and pop culture. You all inspire and push me in ways I cannot fully articulate. Each of you has played such an important role in who I am in this world, and I know that I am better because of you. Anna, the Southern girl who I felt I’d known forever the first time I met you. You are the Chilli of the group (curly hair and all), which I realize may sound weird, but hang on I’ll explain. I will never forget the first time I came to your house to babysit Lillian and Atticus and I you opened the door and I met Austin and your house felt so warm and welcoming. Talking to you then, it was like I had known you for a long time before I met you. Not only were you this brilliant person I looked up to in class, but you were also open and kind. So, to me you are like my family away from home, my cool Southern white girl sister who knows all the things both academic and silly/fun. Esther, you are every good thing in the world. You are like a north star that guides and takes care of everyone (as evidenced by your cooking) – in other words, you are our T-Boz. Thank you for always being there for me (for everyone) – to give me advice, to laugh about silly things, to commiserate about work I had to do, to talk about my research and writing, to eat dinner with, and so on. I don’t think I’ll ever meet a better person, and I know I couldn’t have completed this program without you.