Africana Studies | Penn Today

Child welfare system is overloaded with racial disparities that impact Black families, experts say

PIK Professor Dorothy Roberts says that Black families have been entangled in the child welfare system since the time of slavery, when they were routinely separated.

A Texas family fought for weeks to regain custody of their newborn. Experts say the case shows how Black parents are criminalized

PIK Professor Dorothy Roberts says that decisions to report neglect and abuse to the child welfare system are largely shaped by racist stereotypes of Black families.

The truth about the adoption option

PIK Professor Dorothy Roberts breaks down the adoption fallacy of the Supreme Court Dobbs decision.

U.S. considers asking Black Americans on census if they are slave descendants

Camille Z. Charles of the School of Arts & Sciences says that it would be easier to fill in information gaps about Black immigrant wealth and educational representation if there were better ways to document the Black population.

U.S. study unearths Persian origins of Swahili people

According to the East Africa Living Encyclopedia at the School of Arts & Sciences, archaeological evidence suggests that the Swahili have inhabited Eastern Africa since the first century CE.

The president of Botswana smiles as he sits on a stage in front of the flag of his nation next to a bouquet of light blue and white flowers

Botswana’s president discusses good governance, democracy

President Mokgweetsi Masisi spoke with Penn Professor Wale Adebanwi at the second annual Distinguished Lecture in African Studies.

Police stopped a Black couple in Tennessee—and took their children

In her book “Torn Apart,” PIK Professor Dorothy E. Roberts describes how the U.S. child welfare system historically punishes Black families for living through poverty.

New York Times journalist Brent Staples and Penn’s Tukufu Zuberi in conversation

At the inaugural W.E.B. Du Bois Lecture in Public Social Science, the two discussed Du Bois’ legacy and influence, Staples’ personal and professional journey, and the importance of speaking truth to power.

Dorothy Roberts says it’s time to abolish the child welfare system

PIK Professor Dorothy Roberts appears on “Your Call” to discuss her new book, “Torn Apart,” which argues that the child welfare system should be abolished and replaced with a radically different way of supporting families.

Daniel Morales-Armstrong sits on a park bench in front of Penn's College Hall

Black Puerto Rican history

Ph.D. candidate Daniel Morales-Armstrong’s research considers whose voices and narratives prevail and whose are plagued by silences.

Filters