Date of Award

Spring 6-14-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of arts (BA)

Department

Global Honors

First Advisor

Jeffrey Cohen

Abstract

In the United States, all youth have a right to education. Despite this right, past systems of racial segregation have led to disparities in education funding and youth access to academic support services. Such inequities limit the chances of youth of color at upward mobility and foster a continued cycle of racism in community development and education. This pattern of racism in education is not limited to the United States, but rather can be seen across the globe. In Cape Town, South Africa, the lingering effect of apartheid continues to enforce racial inequities in housing, community development, and education. As youth of color continue to attend underserved schools, cycles of racism and poverty persist. With the persistence of racial disparities in education, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) step in to provide services to youth of color that the government has otherwise neglected to offer. This paper explores the relationship between CBOs and youth of color in the Philippi township located on the fringe of Cape Town, South Africa, as well as that of a similar CBO operating in Tacoma, Washington, United States. Using qualitative research methods, data was collected and later analyzed to display the ways in which youth of color interact with CBOs and the impact that CBOs have on the academic potential of youth of color in underfunded and resourced schools.

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