Wah Dem Tek Wi Fah: A Case Study on Second-Generation Jamaican Student Activists Challenging Institutions and Shaping Change
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D)
Department
Higher Edu and Learning Technology
Date of Award
Fall 2025
Abstract
Despite a rich history of Black student activism that has long served as a catalyst for shaping institutional change in U.S. higher education, little is known about the experiences of second-generation Jamaican students and their roles in cultivating change as activists. Using Paulo Freire’s Critical Consciousness theory as a guiding framework, this study explores how second-generation Jamaican students engaged in activism, challenged institutions, and contributed to campus change. The central research question for this study seeks to highlight how second-generation Jamaican students describe their activism and its impact on institutional culture and change. Through a multi-data sourced qualitative case study engaging semi-structured interviews, photovoice, and cultural artifacts. This study found four major themes: 1) "My cultural identity, I believe, is layered", 2) "I hold my family's last name", 3) "I had to step up!", and 4) "We weren't just yelling in the quad" that revealed new insights into the activism experiences of Black second-generation Jamaican student activists. The study’s findings offer significant implications for higher education leaders, policymakers, and future research.
Advisor
Dimitra Smith
Subject Categories
Education
Recommended Citation
Douglas, Jayson, "Wah Dem Tek Wi Fah: A Case Study on Second-Generation Jamaican Student Activists Challenging Institutions and Shaping Change" (2025). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 1318.
https://lair.etamu.edu/etd/1318
