"It Was Tough": Women of Color Response to Microaggressions in Doctoral Programs

• In Event: Past and Present: Examining Racial Microaggressions and Racial Microaffirmations Within Educational Research

Abstract

Objectives
Within the last two decades the number of Women of Color (WOC) receiving doctorate degrees has increased from 2% to 15% (U.S. Department of Education, 2016). While the increase is promising, WOC continue to be underrepresented in all levels of higher education. In addition, WOC in academia also face racial microaggressions due to their race, ethnicity, gender, class, and other interesting identities (Crenshaw, 1991; McKee & Delgado, 2020). Racial microaggressions have been defined as cumulative everyday verbal or non-verbal assault directed towards People of Color based on their marginalized identities that can have physical, psychological and academic toll (Pierce, 1974; Solórzano & Perez Huber, 2020). It is imperative that we learn about the struggles WOC face. To do so, this paper explores the racial microaggressions WOC experience as doctoral students to capture navigational tools that might help their success.

Theoretical Framework(s)
This work is guided by Critical Race Theory (CRT) and its five tenets: 1) centrality and intersectionality of race and racism, 2) challenging dominant ideologies, 3) commitment to social justice, 4) centrality of experiential knowledge, and 5) utilizing interdisciplinary approaches (Solórzano, 1998). These tenets intentionally center their race/ethnicity, gendered and other intersecting identities of WOC as well as provide the necessary tools to learn from the research collaborators.

Methods & Methodology
For this qualitative research I conducted 9 pláticas (Fierros & Delgado Bernal, 2016) and 6 video testimonios (Benmayor, 2012; Latina Feminist Group, 2001) with 9 WOC in doctoral programs across various disciplines. Pláticas and video testimonios offer WOC to weave their stories and engage within the research process to share knowledge about experiences with racial microaggressions.

Findings
The findings demonstrate the different ways Women of Color across various disciplines experienced racial microaggressions while pursuing doctorate degrees. They face racial microaggressions from advisors, faculty, staff, students, and peers that touch on many of their identities. A Black woman in STEM summarized her many encounters with racial microaggressions and shared, “I can sit here all day, and still not finish telling you all the shit that people felt was ok to say to me. Ranging anywhere from my hair texture, body shape, how I look, where my family comes from, my family’s immigrant statues, just all of it. So it was really tough.” The other racial microaggressions that the WOC shared were from people who held stereotypes of the women’s race/ethnicity, having their names swapped with other WOC, and being underestimated.

Scholarly Significance
As a result of racial microaggressions, Women of Color often find themselves with feelings of isolation and self-doubt, but find ways to persist. Overall, this study gives a glimpse into the racialized realities that WOC navigate as they pursue doctoral degrees. WOC are centered through this work to share their stories in a way that allows us to critically examine education spaces and find ways to better support their academic success.

Author

• Magali Campos, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author