Ruth Ray – författare

The Struggle for Black History: Foundations for a Critical Black Pedagogy in Education captures the controversy that surrounds the implementation of Black studies in schools' curricula. This book examines student experiences of a controversial Black history program in 1994 that featured critical discourse about the historical role of racism and its impact on Black people. The program and its continuing controversy is analyzed by drawing from the analyses of Elijah Muhammad, Carter G. Woodson, Maulana Karenga, Molefi Asante, Paulo Freire, Peter McLaren, James Banks, and others. Professors Abul and Esrom Pitre and Professor Ruth Ray use case studies and student experiences to highlight the challenges faced when trying to implement Black studies programs. This study provides the reader with an illuminating picture of critical pedagogy, critical race theory, multicultural education, and Black studies in action. The book lays the foundation for what the authors term "critical Black pedagogy in education," which is an examination of African American leaders, scholars, students, activists, their exegeses and challenge of power relations in Black education. In addition, the book provides recommendations for schools, parents, students, and activists interested in implementing Black studies and multicultural education.

Using a combination of case studies and research, the contributors of this timely book highlight some of the significant issues, historical, curricular, and societal, that have led to African American students having a proportionally larger representation in special education classes, higher drop-put rates, and more incidences of in-school, race-on-race violence. The contributors draw from critical pedagogy, multicultural education, and the Afrocentric canon to critique the American educational system. Educating African American Students examines historical issues that are significant for understanding the current state of affairs for African American education; addresses problems and issues in social studies education, mathematics education, and the overrepresentation of African American males in special education; and poignantly illuminates the necessity for renewed activism by telling the stories of African American children and their schooling experiences.