Racial Mistrust Among Immigrant Minority Students

Abstract

This paper examines perception of racial mistrust held by minority students towards white teachers during middle school years. The investigation determined relationships between levels of racial mistrust and the length of time English-speaking West Indian and Haitian students lived in the United States. Results indicate 35 to 50% of the students perceived moderate or high levels of racial mistrust. While no statistically significant relationships were indicated during the 6th and 7th, or 8th grades towards the ending of the 9th grade positive and statistically significant relationships were indicated for English-speaking West Indian as well as Haitian students. In addition to risks of unfavorable levels of racial mistrust low academic achievements remained a concern for both groups. Implications for social work research and practice with immigrant students are addressed.