Urban Narratives: Portraits in Progress- Life at the Intersections of Learning Disability, Race, and Social Class

by David J. Connor

Urban Narratives foregrounds previously silenced voices of young people of color who are labeled disabled. Overrepresented in special education classes, yet underrepresented in educational research, these students – the largest group within segregated special education classes – share their perceptions of the world and their place within it. Eight ‘portraits in progress’ consisting of their own words and framed by their poetry and drawings, reveal compelling insights about life inside and out of the American urban education system. The book uses an intersectional analysis to examine how power circulates in society throughout and among historical, cultural, institutional, and interpersonal domains, impacting social, academic, and economic opportunities for individuals, and expanding or circumscribing their worlds.

412 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mikayla Beckman · Rating 2 out of 5]

At times, this was really difficult and disheartening to read. Reading narrative after narrative of students' negative experiences in special education, or reading about their own internalized ableism about themselves was really tough. Yet I also do see the value in reading these narratives, as these are actual students experiencing special education and their thoughts and experiences. I don't know. I really struggled with a lot of what the students were saying like " I just think they are lazy" in regards to kids who are in special education. Reallyyyyy makes me question the way schools are run and the foundation that the system of education was built because it is quite evidently broken. One student made a comment that really resonated with me. He said, "Outside of school, I am not disabled". Why are the ways our schools are set up disabling to students? Why are schools (and society) continuing to be structured around able-bodied, neurotypical individuals? Ah!!

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved getting to hear from kids like this, there should be more books that center their total voice like this. Didn’t love everything this old white guy said but pretty upstanding considering most old white guys.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such powerful stories of intersectionality. Older data, but somehow not too dated

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very academic and heady at times but I enjoyed what the author had to say. I also especially enjoyed the narratives.