Race, Class and Hurricane Maria: A Case Study Examining Perceived Racial Discrimination Experienced by Puerto Ricans
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Authors
Carretero Claussell, Stefan Mark
Issue Date
2021-06
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Latin American studies , Educational sociology , Colorism theory , Critical qualitative research , Critical race , Emergence response , Post colonialism , Racial democracy
Alternative Title
Abstract
Hurricane Maria, one of the worst natural disasters, struck Puerto Rico and over 4,600 people died (Joplin, 2018) with additional deaths due to outbreaks of infectious disease, limited access to clean water, and malnutrition (Rodriguez-Díaz, 2017). Many Puerto Rican’s lost their jobs, homes, and access to educational resulting in a great migration to mainland USA.
This qualitative case study is framed in Critical Race Theory and investigated the perceptions of Puerto Rican’s displaced by Hurricane Maria. Participants of this study voiced their perceptions and lived experiences in the context of race, class and the effect on their educational outcomes.
Participants in this study defined the existence of racism based on colorism between Puerto Ricans and noted contempt by U.S. born Americans towards Puerto Ricans holistically. They also indicated that The United States government response was negligent and Puerto Rico’s government’s emergency response was both negligent and corrupted. The findings of this research show that both the United States and the Puerto Rican Government responses led to school closures, slow rebuilding of infrastructure efforts, job losses and defunding of pensions that resulted in a mass exodus from Puerto Rico in search for a better future in the U.S. mainland.
This study provided the opportunity to give a voice to the disenfranchised participants as a way to promote equality and bring about social justice and change.
Description
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Doctor of Education.
Citation
Carretero Claussell, S. M. (2020). Race, class and Hurricane Maria: A case study examining perceived racial discrimination experienced by Puerto Ricans (Order No. 28542358). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ University of Bridgeport; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2544898434).