Indigenous Identity Formation in Chilean Education: New Racism and Schooling Experiences of Mapuche Youth

This book explores how educational institutions influence indigenous identity formation in Chile, highlighting the reproduction of historically constructed ethnic and racial criteria and the continued prevalence of implicit racism. It provides a critical perspective on contemporary issues of indigenous identity and education and is of interest to researchers, academics, and scholars in these fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book provides a comprehensive sociological analysis of the ways in which educational institutions influence indigenous identity formation in Chile. Through in-depth qualitative research conducted with Mapuche youth in schools across rural and urban settings, as well as in private state-subsidized and public schools, Webb delves into the mechanisms of new racism in schooling and highlights the enduring impact of exclusion on minority groups. By examining the narratives of students and teachers, the book sheds light on the reproduction of historically constructed ethnic and racial criteria in educational contexts. It demonstrates how these norms persist, despite apparent progressive attitudes toward racism and colonial education in Chile. This critical perspective underscores the prevalence of implicit racism, whereby schooling generates culturally subjective and exclusionary norms and values. By focusing on contemporary issues of indigenous identity and education in Chile, this book contributes valuable scholarship to the field. It will appeal to researchers, academics, and scholars interested in indigenous education, sociology of education, and international and comparative education.

Introduction:
The educational system plays a crucial role in shaping indigenous identity formation in Chile, as it is a primary site where individuals learn about their culture, history, and place in the world. This book offers a rich sociological analysis of the ways in which educational institutions influence this process, exploring the mechanisms of new racism in schooling and demonstrating how continued forms of exclusion impact minority groups. By drawing on qualitative research conducted with Mapuche youth in schools in rural and urban settings, as well as in private state-subsidized and public schools, the volume provides a comprehensive exploration of how national belonging and indigeneity are articulated and experienced in institutional contexts.

Mechanisms of New Racism in Schooling:
Webb's book delves into the mechanisms of new racism in schooling, which refers to the ways in which educational institutions perpetuate and reproduce racial and ethnic inequalities. Through close analysis of student and teacher narratives, the book illustrates how historically constructed ethnic and racial criteria are reproduced in schools, despite apparent progressive attitudes toward racism and colonial education in Chile. The reproduction of these norms and values is facilitated by the institutional structures and practices that perpetuate inequality, such as the use of standardized tests, tracking systems, and discriminatory policies.

Impact of Exclusion on Minority Groups:
The continued forms of exclusion that impact minority groups, such as the Mapuche, are a central theme of the book. Webb highlights how the marginalization and discrimination experienced by these groups in educational institutions contribute to their sense of dislocation and loss of identity. The lack of representation and recognition of indigenous cultures and languages in the curriculum and teaching materials further perpetuates the exclusion and marginalization of these groups.

National Belonging and Indigeneity in Institutional Contexts:
The book also explores how national belonging and indigeneity are articulated and experienced in institutional contexts. Through qualitative research, Webb examines how students and teachers negotiate their identities and relationships within educational institutions. The analysis reveals the complex and multifaceted ways in which individuals negotiate their cultural and social identities in relation to the broader Chilean society.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a critical perspective on the ways in which educational institutions influence indigenous identity formation in Chile. By highlighting the mechanisms of new racism in schooling and the enduring impact of exclusion on minority groups, Webb contributes important scholarship to the field. The book will be of interest to researchers, academics, and scholars in the fields of indigenous education, sociology of education, and international and comparative education.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367548155