Assistant Professor Recognized for Study of Race, Dance and Recreation Programming
Matthew Atencio
- April 20, 2016
A paper written by Cal State East Bay Kinesiology Assistant Professor Matthew Atencio that explores the intersection of race, dance and recreational programming was recently recognized by the international journal Leisure Studies as one of the “best ever published from 2007-2014.”
Atencio wrote the paper, titled “Freaky is just how I get down,” as part of his doctoral dissertation and said the recognition was a surprise, considering it came years after he published it. However, he said it is also a reminder to himself and other researchers about the importance of investigating whether programs are truly meeting the needs of all students.
“It reminds me and those in the field about the value of this kind of microscopic, ethnographic work,” he said. “There is a need for this type of analysis. If we really want to know what young people need, we need to talk to them, we need to pay attention to them.”
According to an excerpt from Leisure Studies Editor Dr. Beccy Watson, Atencio’s paper was a particular favorite and selected because it demonstrated the potential for “in-depth, narrative-based accounts of leisure” and addressed both gender and race through the lens of dance.
During his research Atencio followed the lives of several students at an urban high school and talked with them extensively about what they wanted from dance programs and whether those interests were being met. He said looking back, many of the young women featured in his paper were similar to the students he now works with at CSUEB.
“They were young, minority ethnic women who [were] looking for a leg up on life, dance was a part of that,” Atencio said. “They wanted to use it as something positive in their lives.”
Atencio has intensely studied youth programs for several years. His upcoming book with three other kinesiology professors about urban skateboarding culture takes a page out of his dissertation and looks at the benefits of skateboarding, particularly for underserved youth.
“I want to know, when the rubber hits the road and you start looking at programming, what that really means for the actual young people involved,” Atencio said. “You have to be intentional with what you offer and how you can make it inclusive.”
A copy of Atencio’s paper is available on the website.