The Art of Diaspora, Relocation, and Dislocation: Examining Barrio and Low Rider Art Created by English Language Learners

By Dorothy Valcarcel Craig and Johnna Paraiso.

Published by The International Journal of the Arts in Society

Format	Price
Article: Print	$US10.00
Article: Electronic	$US5.00

This study examined art created by non-English language speaking middle school students representing areas and locations in Mexico and South America and who are experiencing diaspora due to relocation to Tennessee. Early findings indicate that elements of present in low rider and barrio art are also present in student samples. These elements include: a) anxiety due to diaspora, relocation, and dislocation, b) strong familial and religious connections, c) gang-related ties, and d) longing. The collaborative project involved middle school students representing areas and locations in Mexico and South American and who are now attending a middle school located outside a large, urban city. Findings from the study will be utilized to inform practice and to provide insight to teachers, administrators, and community members who work with second language learners in meeting their academic and social needs.

Keywords:	Diaspora, Immigrant Students, Research, Relocation, Dislocation, English Language Learners, Teaching

The International Journal of the Arts in Society, Volume 2, Issue 1, pp.33-42. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Article: Electronic (PDF File; 534.371KB).

Dr. Dorothy Valcarcel Craig

Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Dr. Craig is the primary investigator for the ESL Enterprise Grant, a federal $1.5 million grant to educate and certify K-12 ESL teachers. Through the grant, 90 teachers have been added to the pool of certified ESL teachers in Tennessee. She also works with community and local schools to provide materials and training to improve the skills of English language learners. Dr. Craig is currently serving as the program director for the new Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction with specialization in Technology and Curriculum Design.

Johnna Paraiso

ESL Teacher, ESL Teacher at LaVergne Middle School, Rutherford County Schools, Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Ms. Paraiso is an ESL teacher at LaVergne Middle School. Her professional experience includes teaching regular education and ELL students at the elementary and middle school level. Prior to teaching in Tennessee, Ms. Paraiso taught for several years in the San Francisco Bay area. She is currently a candidate for the Education Specialist degree at Middle Tennessee State University. Ms. Paraiso's research has been published in TN TESOL News and Tennessee Educational Leadership.

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