Exploring the Core Components of Yosso Community Cultural Wealth
Do you ever wonder what drives success and thriving among marginalized communities? Yosso Community Cultural Wealth posits that certain aspects of communities can serve as a valuable foundation for personal and societal prosperity and abundance.
Introduction
Yosso Community Cultural Wealth is a framework developed by Professor Tara J. Yosso of the University of California, Santa Barbara. It was first introduced in a 2005 article titled “Whose culture has capital? A critical race theory discussion of community cultural wealth.” The framework seeks to provide a counter-narrative to the idea that only certain kinds of knowledge and resources are valuable.
Types of Cultural Wealth
Yosso outlines six essential forms of community cultural wealth: aspirational, linguistic, familial, social, navigational, and resistance. These components serve as the basis for success and thriving, and each contributes to a unique set of strengths.
Aspirational Capital
Aspirational capital refers to the dreams, goals, and aspirations that individuals have. It is an important facet of Yosso’s framework because it recognizes that communities thrive when members are encouraged to set high goals for themselves. Yosso highlights that as people work towards their aspirations, this helps them to overcome challenges and obstacles.
Linguistic Capital
Linguistic capital is the possession of language skills and the ability to communicate effectively in different contexts. This component also includes an understanding of language and its implications. Yosso argues that linguistic capital is an essential form of wealth as it can help individuals to gain access to resources and opportunities that may not otherwise be available.
Familial Capital
Familial capital is the resources and support systems that families provide. It includes emotional, financial, and social support that family members offer one another. Yosso suggests that familial capital is essential in enabling individuals to succeed by providing a strong foundation of support.
Social Capital
Social capital refers to the networks and relationships that are available to individuals. These networks can provide access to opportunities, resources, and social support that might not otherwise be available. Yosso argues that this kind of wealth is essential in providing individuals with a sense of community and belonging.
Navigational Capital
Navigational capital involves the ability to negotiate different settings, including those that are unfamiliar or hostile. This includes the ability to overcome structural barriers and to navigate different systems or institutions. Yosso suggests that navigational capital is important in helping individuals to overcome challenges and to succeed despite potential obstacles.
Resistance Capital
Resistance capital refers to the ability to resist and challenge dominant systems and narratives. This involves being able to speak up and challenge social norms and to confront issues that negatively affect individuals or communities. Yosso argues that resistance capital is important in enabling individuals and communities to advocate for positive social change.
Conclusion
The Yosso Community Cultural Wealth framework highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the resources and strengths that marginalized communities possess. By acknowledging and building on these strengths, individuals and communities can thrive, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals. By focusing on aspirational, linguistic, familial, social, navigational, and resistance capital, individuals and communities can build a strong foundation of community cultural wealth.
