Negotiating Identity While Scaling the Walls of the Ivory Tower

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Refugia Olivas
Keyword(s):  
Graduate School ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
Ivory Tower ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Identity Constructions ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Within these pages I engaged in critical autoethnographic storytelling, referred to as cuentos, to highlight the reflexive processes impacting my identity negotiation while in graduate school (an “Appendix” further explicating this critical autoethnographic approach is also provided). As will be seen, the reflexivity necessary to explore the impact my past had on my interactions while a graduate student stemmed from understanding borderland theorizing (Anzaldúa, 1987). Through cuentos about my Mago, Margaret Ruth, Margo, and Margarita Refugia identity constructions, I painfully expose lived experiences representing surreal, emotional, often devastating, unshakable, and unbelievable lived realities. In contrast to the cuentos sections of this article, the scaling the walls of the Ivory Tower sections are presented in a less emotional, more intellectual state of mind reflecting borderland theorizing about (post)colonial wounds and assimilationist socialization processes that eventually lead to my emerging conciencia de la Mestizo—processes that bring to light academic and socialization challenges I faced while attending graduate school as a racial/ethnic minority woman and single mother of lower socioeconomic background.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Pakistani University Students’ Socioeconomic Classes, Gender and Dimensions in Epistemological Beliefs: Dependencies and Interlinks probed by Structural Equation Modeling Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 629-643
Author(s):  
Rafaquat Ali ◽  
Furrukh Bashir ◽  
Hafeez Ur Rehman ◽  
Rashid Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
University Students ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Epistemological Beliefs ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
Modeling Approach ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
The Impact

Epistemological beliefs impact all aspects of students’ academic and learning behaviours. The different dimensions of epistemological beliefs comprise structure, source, certainty, ability to learns and speed to learn. The students’ naive and inadequate epistemological beliefs can have negative impacts on their regulation of learning, self-efficacy, interest in study, academic performance and persistence in studies. Likewise, the socioeconomic background can explain various differences in students’ beliefs. Epistemological beliefs have social and cultural underpinnings as well. For these reasons, the researchers examined the impact of university students’ socioeconomic classes on their epistemological beliefs. In survey research design, the data were collected from university students in an online survey. The structural equation modeling approach was chosen to detect significant regression paths in the model. The lower and upper lower socioeconomic classes were found to have significant impact on students’ epistemological beliefs. The variable gender did not appear to make significant contribution to students’ epistemological beliefs. The naive beliefs can severely impact university students’ academic behaviour, therefore epistemological beliefs of students from lower and upper lower socioeconomic backgrounds should be challenged and improved.

Conflicts in Biafra, Katanga and Cabinda as a result of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (10-3) ◽  
pp. 238-246
Author(s):  
Olga Dzhenchakova
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Economic Factor ◽  
Colonial Period ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

The article considers the impact of the colonial past of some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and its effect on their development during the post-colonial period. The negative consequences of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism are shown on the example of three countries: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Angola, expressed in the emergence of conflicts in these countries based on ethno-cultural, religious and socio-economic contradictions. At the same time, the focus is made on the economic factor and the consequences of the consumer policy of the former metropolises pursuing their mercantile interests were mixed.

scholarly journals The Impact of Intersectional Identities on Older People With HIV

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 723-723
Author(s):  
Mark Brennan-Ing ◽  
Charles Emlet
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hiv Stigma ◽  
Neurocognitive Functioning ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the term “intersectionality” in the late 1980s to highlight the experience discrimination and marginalization of Black and African-American women originating from the confluence of their racial/ethnic and gender identities. Since that time the focus on intersectionality has broadened to consider other communities and individuals who may have multiple stigmatized and discredited identities, including older people with HIV (PWH). For example, Porter and Brennan-Ing described the “Five Corners” model as the intersection of ageism, racism, classism, sexism, and HIV stigma for older transgender and gender non-conforming PWH. HIV disproportionately affects marginalized communities (e.g., racial/ethnic and sexual minorities). Thus, for older PWH it is important to consider how HIV stigma may intersect with other marginalized identities and impact physical and psychological well-being. The first paper in this session examines how the intersection of HIV serostatus, gay identity, and age complicates identity disclosure, leading to social isolation and interference with care planning. The second paper describes how intersectional identities among older PWH interfere with access to mental health services in a population that is disproportionately affected by depression and PTSD. Our third paper examines the role of race, education, and behavioral health in neurocognitive functioning among a diverse sample of older HIV+ gay and bisexual men. Our last paper examines neurocognitive functioning among older Latinx PWH, finding that sexual and gender minorities were at greater risk for impairment. Implications of these findings for research and programming that accounts for the effects of intersectionality among older PWH will be discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK medical school widening access schemes: disruption, support and a virtual student led initiative

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R Bligh ◽  
Ellie Courtney ◽  
Rebecca Stirling ◽  
Asveny Rajananthanan ◽  
Hibatallah Altaher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical School ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
Widening Participation ◽  
Manipulation Check ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Widening Access ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background COVID-19 has disrupted medical education in the United Kingdom (UK). The pandemic may result in a long-term disproportionate negative impact to students applying to Medical School from a low-socioeconomic background. In addition, the upsurge in Medical School applications increases the likelihood of stricter University entry criteria over the coming years. There is no current research to determine how widening participation of Medicine to students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds can be improved virtually. The aim of this study is to establish the impact of COVID-19 on students enrolled in UK widening access schemes and the role of virtual student led initiatives in widening participation. Methods A voluntary online survey was distributed to UK Sixth Form students (N = 31) enrolled in a widening access scheme who attended Sheffield Neuroscience Society International Virtual Conference in February 2021. The event was free to attend. The five-domain survey consisted of questions determining demographics, career aspirations, impact of COVID-19, academic skillsets and an educational manipulation check. Results There were 30 pre-conference and 26 post-conference responses. 76.7 % had work experience cancelled due to COVID-19. A total of 36.7 % of participants reported participating in virtual work experience. ‘Observe GP’ and ‘Medic Mentor’ were each specified as attended virtual opportunities in 20 % of answers. Post conference, students felt significantly more confident in applying to Medical School (p = 0.008) and more prepared to undertake a presentation (p = 0.002). Educational manipulation check scores increased significantly (p = 0.003). 100 % of students felt inspired to do further CV building activities. Conclusions COVID-19 has negatively impacted pupils enrolled in UK Medical School widening access schemes. Virtual student led initiatives can instill confidence in delegates from low socio-economic backgrounds, increase their career knowledge and inspire them to take part in further CV building exercises. Both Medical Schools and medical students play a key role in widening participation. This study recommends Medical Schools promote access to virtual events, urge private and state schools to declare offered opportunities and act mindfully when determining student’s academic potential in the context of their socioeconomic and/or educational background.

scholarly journals Racial Disparities in Virologic Failure and Tolerability During Firstline HIV Antiretroviral Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Bhagwat ◽  
Shashi N Kapadia ◽  
Heather J Ribaudo ◽  
Roy M Gulick ◽  
Judith S Currier
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Virologic Failure ◽  
Virologic Suppression ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Background Racial/ethnic disparities in HIV outcomes have persisted despite effective antiretroviral therapy. In a study of initial regimens, we found viral suppression varied by race/ethnicity. In this exploratory analysis, we use clinical and socioeconomic data to assess factors associated with virologic failure and adverse events within racial/ethnic groups. Methods Data were from AIDS Clinical Trial Group A5257, a randomized trial of initial regimens with either atazanavir/ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, or raltegravir (each combined with tenofovir DF and emtricitabine). We grouped participants by race/ethnicity and then used Cox-proportional hazards regression to examine the impact of demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors on the time to virologic suppression and time to adverse event reporting within each racial/ethnic group. Results We analyzed data from 1762 participants: 757 self-reported as non-Hispanic black (NHB), 615 as non-Hispanic white (NHW), and 390 as Hispanic. The proportion with virologic failure was higher for NHB (22%) and Hispanic (17%) participants compared with NHWs (9%). Factors associated with virologic failure were poor adherence and higher baseline HIV RNA level. Prior clinical AIDS diagnosis was associated with virologic failure for NHBs only, and unstable housing and illicit drug use for NHWs only. Factors associated with adverse events were female sex in all groups and concurrent use of medications for comorbidities in NHB and Hispanic participants only. Conclusions Clinical and socioeconomic factors that are associated with virologic failure and tolerability of antiretroviral therapy vary between and within racial and ethnic groups. Further research may shed light into mechanisms leading to disparities and targeted strategies to eliminate those disparities.

scholarly journals Demographics associated with US healthcare disparities are exacerbated by the telemedicine surge during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110259
Author(s):  
Kristin N Gmunder ◽  
Jose W Ruiz ◽  
Dido Franceschi ◽  
Maritza M Suarez
Keyword(s):  
Income Tax ◽  
Healthcare Disparities ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Internal Revenue Service ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Postal Code ◽  
The Us ◽  
Hispanic Patients ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Introduction As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit the US, there was widespread and urgent implementation of telemedicine programs nationwide without much focus on the impact on patient populations with known existing healthcare disparities. To better understand which populations cannot access telemedicine during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, this study aims to demographically describe and identify the most important demographic predictors of telemedicine visit completion in an urban health system. Methods Patient de-identified demographics and telemedicine visit data ( N = 362,764) between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020 were combined with Internal Revenue Service 2018 individual income tax data by postal code. Descriptive statistics and mixed effects logistic regression were used to determine impactful patient predictors of telemedicine completion, while adjusting for clustering at the clinical site level. Results Many patient-specific demographics were found to be significant. Descriptive statistics showed older patients had lower rates of completion ( p < 0.001). Also, Hispanic patients had statistically significant lower rates ( p < 0.001). Overall, minorities (racial, ethnic, and language) had decreased odds ratios of successful telemedicine completion compared to the reference. Discussion While telemedicine use continues to be critical during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, entire populations struggle with access—possibly widening existing disparities. These results contribute large datasets with significant findings to the limited research on telemedicine access and can help guide us in improving telemedicine disparities across our health systems and on a wider scale.

scholarly journals China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Will it Make or Mar Development in the Central and West Africa Subregions?

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
William G. Dzekashu ◽  
Julius N. Anyu
Keyword(s):  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
The West ◽  
Colonial Era ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Domestic Products

The West, chiefly Europe, left political footmarks in Africa from the Colonial Era, along with varying economic footprints and surviving engagements in the immediate Post-colonial Era. However, the relationships between Africa and her former colonial masters have hardly yielded much to the former following the wave of independence, leading to the perception of failed relationships. This perception of failure to deliver on their undertakings has left Africa with only one option—China. The latter has been addressing some of Africa’s urgent infrastructure needs in return for natural resources and agricultural products. These engagements on the surface appear to be good business, but on further examination seem questionable notably as it relates to debt distress on vulnerable economies. To increase her footprint within the continent, China extended her Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to most African nations who have signed a memorandum of understanding for future development projects. Though the commitments usually are unspecified, China’s investments have seen rapid growth since the early 2000s, largely owing to the implementation of the BRI. The memoranda have had the potential to strengthen ties with partner nations. The expansion to include Africa in its economic participation in the BRI has left the West questioning China’s motives while reinforcing suspicions about possible future US-China conflict. The impact of BRI on the African continent is quite visible in all the subregions, especially in their improved gross domestic products. A burning question has been whether these partnerships represent win-win relationships for sustainable growth or debt-growth dynamics.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in 30-Day Re-Hospitalization Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Alzheimer’s and Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 697-697
Author(s):  
Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
African American Men ◽  
White Men ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Index Hospitalization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Hospitalization is associated with accelerated cognitive decline for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD), which disproportionately impacts women. Persons with ADRD are also at higher risk for 30-day rehospitalization, which may compound the impact of hospitalization-related exposures that precipitate decline. Evidence surrounding the intersections between gender and rehospitalization risk among diverse, representative populations with ADRD are lacking. This retrospective cohort study used a 100% national sample of Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis of ADRD and qualifying index hospitalization in 2014 (n= 1,033,144 unique beneficiaries and 1,672,238 unique stays). The primary outcome was rate of 30-day rehospitalization by gender and race. Within each racial group, men have higher rehospitalization rates than women: 2.6% higher among white men, 1.7% among African American men, and 2.6% higher among other racial/ethnic minorities. Findings highlight the importance of elucidating mechanisms underlying gender differences in hospital utilization and subsequent impact on cognitive decline.

Suburbanizing Segregation? Changes in Racial/Ethnic Diversity and the Geographic Distribution of Metropolitan School Segregation, 2002–2012

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kori J. Stroub ◽  
Meredith P. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Ethnic Segregation ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Racial Balance

Background While postwar suburban migration established suburbs as relatively affluent, homogeneous white enclaves distinct from the urban core, recent waves of suburbanization and exurbanization have been spurred largely by rapid growth in the nonwhite population. While these increases in suburban racial/ethnic diversity represent a significant evolution of the traditional “chocolate city, vanilla suburbs” dichotomy, scholars have expressed concern that they are worsening racial/ethnic segregation among suburban public school students. Objective In this study, we document shifts in the racial imbalance of suburban schools in terms of several racial/ethnic and geographic dimensions (i.e., multiracial, black–white; between and within suburban districts, among localities). In addition, we extend the urban/suburban dichotomy to provide initial evidence on changes in racial balance in metropolitan exurbs. Finally, we use inferential models to directly examine the impact of changes in racial/ethnic diversity on shifts in racial imbalance. Research Design Using demographic data from the National Center of Education Statistics Common Core of Data on 209 U.S. metropolitan areas, we provide a descriptive analysis of changes in segregation within and between urban, suburban, and exurban localities from 2002 to 2012. We measure segregation using Theil's entropy index, which quantifies racial balance across geographic units. We assess the relationship between demographic change and change in segregation via a series of longitudinal fixed-effects models. Results Longitudinal analyses indicate that increases in racial/ethnic diversity are positively related to change in racial imbalance. However, observed increases in diversity were generally insufficient to produce meaningful increases in segregation. As a result, suburbs and exurbs, like urban areas, experienced little change in segregation, although trends were generally in a negative direction and more localities experienced meaningful declines in segregation than meaningful increases. Findings are less encouraging for suburbs and exurbs than for urban areas and underscore the intractability of black-white racial imbalance and the emerging spatial imbalance of Asians and whites. We also document an important shift in the geographic distribution of segregation, with suburbs now accounting for a plurality of metropolitan segregation. Conclusions Contrary to previous researchers, we do not find evidence that suburban and exurban schools are resegregating, although we fail to document meaningful progress towards racial equity. Moreover, while suburbs are not necessarily resegregating, we find that segregation is suburbanizing, and now accounts for the largest share of segregation of any locality. We conclude with a discussion of recommendations for policy and research.

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