(Re)Envisioning Freshmen Racial Microaggression Experiences by Race/Ethnicity

• In Event: 77.034 - Uncovering Implicit Factors in Experiences of Students of Color

Abstract

This paper examines the ways in which freshmen students of color (n=486) experience racism at a Midwestern PWI. Differences and similarities between racial/ethnic groups are analyzed from three qualitative questions regarding racial experiences and sense of belonging on campus from a campus-wide survey sent to all domestic students of color. Freshmen encountered racism in forms of microassaults and microinvalidations. Students of color across racial groups felt unwelcomed or not belonging on campus due to their race/ethnicity. Over 50% of respondents shared experiences of being stereotyped. Differences were primarily found within the differing stereotypes, such as ascriptions of intelligence, criminality, and beauty. The findings will provide guidelines for PWIs to create an inclusive campus climate for freshmen students of color.

Authors

• Emily Teitelbaum, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• HyeJin Tina Yeo, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign