(Download) "Merged Needs: A Grounded Theory Study of Integration in the South (Chapter 11) (Report)" by American Education History Journal * eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Merged Needs: A Grounded Theory Study of Integration in the South (Chapter 11) (Report)
- Author : American Education History Journal
- Release Date : January 01, 2007
- Genre: Education,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 207 KB
Description
The integration of America's colleges and universities has often been complicated by institutions that have been committed to integration in words but not in actions. Scholarship is abundant with examples of how institutions have failed at or intentionally evaded the development of racially inclusive environments (Jacobs 1988; Atkinson 1993). One factor in some successful integrative experiences has been the involvement of Black clergy in preventing violence (Watras 1997). Richard Sklba offered some insight into how clergy translated their expertise in religious leadership into practical knowledge that benefitted the integration process (Sklba 1977). Scholarship has informed us about the role of clergy in their protest capacity in the civil rights movement and efforts toward ensuring social justice; however, their involvement was more complex than existing literature has suggested. The gap in existing literature indicates that a more detailed and contextual study is needed to advance an understanding of how Black clergy were involved in integration, and the larger social forces that surrounded them. This study seeks to develop an understanding of the role of local Black clergy in integration. While this study addressed the larger issue of integration, the focus of this study was on one institution and its surrounding community. The focus of this study was Averett College, located in Danville in the southernmost part of Virginia. Grounded theory was selected to frame this study in order to arrive at some theoretical assumptions about the role of Black clergy in integration. This study differs from past investigations in that it seeks to examine the role of Black clergy in a particular institution. While the focus of this study is a single institution, it is the phenomenon of integration and the role clergy played that is of particular interest. Because the events recalled here were often emotionally charged, and because many of the people involved in integration at Averett are still employed or associated with the college and community, respondents were assured anonymity to protect their identities.