Racially Minoritised Young People’s Experiences of Navigating COVID-19 Challenges: A Community Cultural Wealth Perspective

This article explores the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on racially minoritised children and young people. It draws on a study that investigated the factors that impacted the well-being and resilience of Black and Asian children and young people in the UK during the pandemic. The study employed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with Black and Asian children aged twelve to nineteen years, to explore their perspectives of the contributing factors that impacted the health, well-being and the coping strategies and support they were able to draw upon to navigate challenges. The thematic analysis highlighted themes of: (1) Support and well-being and (2) coping strategies and resilience to understand the layered elements of multiple intersecting identities and inequities. The findings revealed insights into the intersection of multiple disadvantages, namely economic stressors, food poverty, digital inequality, disrupted
education and disproportionate losses that impacted family functioning, peer-to-
peer support, friendships and social connection. Through the lens of community cultural wealth, this article seeks to examine key factors that need to be foregrounded when lived experiences are rooted in the cumulative effects of multiple intersecting inequalities. The findings provide insights into the challenges exacerbated by structural inequalities and racial disparities that disproportionately impacted youth experiences.