We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom

by Bettina L. Love

Yosso stresses that there are six types of cultural capital that educators should understand and use to empower students beyond White narratives of what cultural capital is and is not. 1. Aspirational—that dark folx continue to have “hopes and dreams” despite persistent, structural barriers in education, employment, housing, and healthcare 2. Linguistic—the beautiful and rich storytelling and communication skills of linguistically diverse students 3. Familial—how family members’ wisdom, stories, and traditions can be a positive resource 4. Social capital—using your network for accessing college and other social institutions 5. Navigational—how dark people have to maneuver hostile spaces to be successful despite being unsupported 6. Resistance—recognizes that dark folx are committed in the fight for justice and abolitionist work21