Racialized narratives : the construction and experience of racial identity among learners at a desegregated school in Chatsworth.

Abstract

This thesis explores the construction and experience of racial identity among eight grade eleven learners at a desegregated school in Chatsworth. The possible challenges and threats faced by these learners in terms of racial identity were also examined.

Semi-structured interviews were utilized as qualitative method to interrogate the ways in

which the eight grade eleven learners construct their racial identities. There were many

contradictions which emerged from my study. This points to the fact that research is

never clear-cut; results do not always fall neatly into place. Nonetheless, the primary

findings of the interviews reflect that learners are comfortable with the idea of racial

integration and expressed positive views about interacting with learners from different

race groups. However, the participants made reference to pockets of racism and threads

of interracial conflict evident at the school.

The data in my study also shows that the Indian learners, forming the majority in the

school, enjoy a more advantaged position as the school adopts an assimilation policy.