title: Dominant Cultural Narratives, Racism, and Resistance in the Workplace: A Study of the Experiences of Young Black Canadians.
abstract: Although many studies have examined lived experiences of racism and resistance in various contexts, relatively little research has examined such experiences among Black youth within the workplace-particularly in the Canadian context. In this study I use qualitative analyses of narrative interviews with 24 Black Canadian youth and young adults (aged 16-35) to examine the impact of dominant cultural narratives on lived experiences of workplace racism and resistance. Findings are presented using theatrical games as a central conceptual metaphor, suggesting that: (a) dominant cultural narratives have a major impact on relational dynamics of oppression in the workplace; (b) identity performance is a critical strategy for negotiating dominant cultural narratives in the workplace; and (c) panopticism (the internalized gaze) is a significant aspect of internalized oppression. Implications for future research and action are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hasford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D019365:Metaphor; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009864:Ontario; D063505:Racism; D012925:Social Conformity; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Black Canadian; Employment; Narratives; Oppression; Racism; Youth