%0 Journal Article
%T Merit in Meritocracy: Uncovering the Myth of Exceptionality and Self
%A David T. Lardier
%A Kathryn G. Herr
%A Pauline Garcia-Reid
%A Robert J. Reid
%A Veronica R. Barrios
%J Education and Urban Society
%@ 1552-3535
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0013124517727583
%X A disproportionate number of urban youth attend underresourced and segregated schools. While tenets of the American Dream are inculcated in urban youth, a dearth of educational resources is available to help realize this dream. This qualitative study explored the narratives of urban youth (N = 85), many of whom sought to be the exceptions, embracing higher education as a pathway to successful futures, yet few identified resources that would make access to higher education possible. The capital accrued in their communities allowed them to navigate their social environment; however, it was an insufficient bridge for future success in higher education. Furthermore, they espoused a belief in their own self-reliance as the one resource on which they could count on. Ironically, the youth also accepted ¡°not making it¡± a result of their own shortcomings. We link findings to empowerment agents who would cultivate both bridging capital and critical consciousness among/for youth
%K meritocracy
%K exceptionality
%K self-reliance
%K empowerment¨Csocial capital
%K urban youth
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0013124517727583