“It’s a Calling. You Answered.”

Abstract

Abbott Elementary, a mockumentary comedy series airing on ABC, examines the plight of an underfunded, underresourced elementary school in Philadelphia. In this article, we argue that Abbott Elementary is a compelling look inside an, albeit fictional, urban school located in the city of Philadelphia. The mockumentary form of the series positions the viewer as ethnographer so that we, in essence, engage in data collection as we listen to documentary-style interviews with participants. Using intersectional analysis, we ponder two questions: How does Abbott Elementary expand or constrain our thinking through systems of domination around the politics of schooling? How might Abbott Elementary further inform our understandings of damage-centered and desire-based research?