Grit, John Henryism, and the hidden toll of promoting “character” over social justice
By Joan Brasher-Vanderbilt Past research shows that black college students draw on “grit”—mental toughness and perseverance—to achieve in predominantly white academic institutions. But a new study says that idea fails to recognize an emerging mental health crisis for these students. “Weathering the cumulative effects of living in a society characterized by white dominance and privilege […]