Volume 3, Issue 1

ABSTRACT

This study examines how membership in black Greek letter fraternities (BGLFs) significantly impacts black men’s college experiences at a predominantly white institution (PWI) of higher learning. Utilizing twenty semi-structured, open-ended interviews with black male college students, this paper describes the benefits and costs of belonging to black fraternities. Membership in black fraternities fosters members’ sense of personal growth and maturity, playing a pivotal role in their transformation from adolescents into young college men. On the other hand, belonging to such fraternities often consumes the majority of respondents’ personal time and leads to a loss of individualism and decreased quality in personal relationships, particularly in relationships with women. This study expands upon the emerging literature on the influence that black fraternities have on their members’ college experiences by capturing fraternity brothers’ own nuanced accounts of the rewards and sacrifices that are associated with membership in BGLFs. Taken together, their stories serve to counteract a host of negative stereotypes about young black men in America.

Keywords: Race, Gender, Black Men, Greek Letter Organizations, Black Masculinity, College Students

ABSTRACT

Following the enactment of the year 2013 Same Sex Prohibition bill into law, it is now illegal to practice homosexuality in Nigeria. With this development, a variety of scholars have come up with a number of papers in reaction to this law from largely the legal, ethical, cultural or spiritual perspective. However, there has been very little from the psychological perspective especially how these homosexuals perceive or experience their state of sexual orientation in Nigeria. Consequently, this study sought to explore some of the experiences and perceptions of these people from a psychological perspective using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Analysis of transcripts explored the extent of the hope, fears and aspirations of homosexuals in terms of their quality of life. They suggest that living as a homosexual in Nigeria is a very daunting experience and it makes life a little more difficult due to the fear of persecution and prosecution. Further implications and areas of further research suggested.

Keywords: Experience, Homosexuality, IPA, Nigeria, Perception

ABSTRACT

Drawing upon personal interviews, I present the opinions of leading Singaporean opposition politicians and activists about developments and issues in Singapore politics covering the period 1996-2013, which I characterise as a period of stagnation, fall and rise for the opposition. The purpose of the article is to explore and understand the history of Singapore’s opposition, as experienced and told by participants in the drama. I attended opposition social functions in order to understand more about the movement and to gain access to study participants whom I then interviewed, mostly on a one-on-one basis. The sampling method used can best be described as snowball sampling, working in conjunction with convenience sampling. My aim was to interview people of a mix of genders, ages, party affiliations, and politician-versus-activist status. Most of the interviews with my 24 interviewees were conducted over the period March 2010 to October 2011. My interview results show that the Singapore opposition activist community, while small outside of election campaigns during this era (probably numbering no more than fifty), was passionate and committed to taking the city-state away from what its members perceived to be the authoritarian pathway set up by the ruling regime. The Workers’ Party’s (WP) rapid rise from obscurity to become Singapore’s second-strongest political force over the 2006-13 period surprised many commentators. The WP’s ability to secure high vote percentages and even win seats based on brand factor alone (or primarily) was an important new development.

Keywords: Grassroots Activism, Internet Activism, Singapore Opposition Parties; Singapore Political History, Singapore Politics

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the challenges of offering peace education in public primary school in Malaysia. In exact, this study: first, investigates how school educational leaders perceive peace education and how peace education could be included in the school curriculum. This study has adopted a qualitative design, employing semi-structured interview as an instrument of data collection. Findings suggest that all respondents reported that they mutually agreed to include peace education as part of the curriculum to maintain harmony, inculcate tolerance among students, minimize conflicts and know their country’s history. Obstacles and challenges in introducing peace education as a subject in the school’s curricular can be minimized to implementation of costs and teacher training. Lack of expertise and lack of interests among students are identified as another challenge in introducing peace education. Furthermore, school educational leaders were found to have low levels of awareness, knowledge, and skills related to peace education.

Keywords: Peace Education, Social Studies, Qualitative Research, Educational Administration, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

People listen to music for a variety of reasons and these reasons are different for everyone. What specifically are the reasons large numbers of people tune into the most popular songs? This qualitative study thematically examined the lyrical changes in popular songs across three decades. Discovering the lyrical characteristics of popular songs over time could give some insight into how people were feeling at a certain point in time, their opinions towards various subjects, or how they enjoyed themselves in their free time. This can be illustrated by which particular song is most popular over a specific year and how this song is structured lyrically. Conceivably, uncovering the lyrical progression and evolution of music over time will provide a better understanding of society in general, how society changes over time, and where society and its preferences are headed towards moving forward.

Keywords: Music Interpretation, Qualitative Research, Social Identity, Society, Lyrics, Music

ABSTRACT

Since the election of the first African American president in 2008, race relations have deteriorated in the United States. In May 2017, the emergence of the “alt-right” movement advocating for white nationalism caused further polarization between the races. This transcendental phenomenological research examined how white adult males’ exposure to racist ideologies influenced their perceptions towards African Americans, and how they emancipated from environments that promoted racist tenets. The study was guided by three research questions: How have white males been impacted by their exposure to racial antipathy and discrimination? What events or circumstances have white males experienced that led them to denouncing negative racial stereotypes and/or participation with hate groups? And, what efforts have they made to reconcile with individuals or groups they have harmed in the past? The literature review revealed racial conflict is a social phenomenon evolving from historical narratives posited by fear, social class, and white superiority. By employing qualitative data analysis, interviewing eight participants, and applying the theoretical lenses of critical race theory, social Darwinism, hate theory, and regenerative justice, the primary essence of the phenomenon acknowledged individuals are mentally and emotionally affected by negative historical narratives about racism. Six major themes evolved: 1) Familial Influences, 2) Southern White Experience, 3) Education and Race Relations, 4) Spiritual Convictions, 5) Immersion into the African American Experience, and 6) Physical and Mental Emancipation. The findings in this study contribute to the field of conflict resolution by advocating for advanced exploration into socio-psychology, racial reconciliation, and restorative justice.

Keywords: Racial Antipathy, White Males, Transformation, Qualitative Research, Transcendental Phenomenology, Racial Reconciliation

ABSTRACT

The profiles of online and traditional doctoral students contrast sharply. A traditional doctoral student lives on-campus and pursues the degree in a face to face environment. This meta-data analysis peruses the research findings from primary research studies on online doctoral students. A systematic search of qualitative research articles, that presented the personal perspectives of online doctoral students, was examined to identify common properties in isolated studies. Factors that directly impact the ability of doctoral candidates to be successful in their online doctoral degree program were identified. Positive factors included cohort groups, supportive mentors, and the ability to pursue a doctoral degree. Obstacles faced by doctoral online students included balancing work, family, school, and a sense of isolation. The results of this meta-data analysis will provide higher education with insights into the online doctoral students’ perceptions and experiences.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Distance Learning, E-Learning, Meta-Data Analysis, Online Education, Virtual Universities, Higher Education

ABSTRACT

Smith, Frey, Pumpian, and Fisher authored the book, Building Equity: Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners (2017) to not only discuss the differences between equity and equality within a school, but to provide tools and examples to go about transitioning a school in order to create a more equitable environment.  The vignettes and strategies shared throughout the book are not simply hypotheticals but are actual experiences of lessons learned – both positive and negative.  The authors strive to convince the readers that when equity, not equality, becomes the focus of a school, students are more likely to realize their potential and work towards accomplishing it.