Gatekeeping and Gaslighting: Systematic Obstructions to Tenure for Black Women Faculty

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Black women have endured intersecting racism and sexism throughout American history. Specifically, Black women are underpaid , overlooked, and overworked; these same injustices occur in the American higher education tenure stream for Black Women. The papers in the symposium rely on theories such organizational betrayal, intersectionality, legal research methodology, and College + University Teaching Environment (CUTE) Framework. Within the context of these theories, the symposium researchers use qualitative and narrative data to examine how structural oppression hampers Black women seeking tenure and promotion. Common problems embedded in the gendered racism are lack of informed mentoring, inconsistent tenure and promotion policies, workplace bullying, and limited fiscal resources. The symposium advances solutions and institutional practices that discriminatorily exclude Black women from tenure.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Examination of Race, Ethnicity, Class and Gender in Education

Chair

• Leah P. Hollis, Pennsylvania State University

Participants

• LaWanda W. Ward, Pennsylvania State University

• Josclynn Brandon, Student-Ready Strategies

Papers

• Black Women Academics and Title VII Lawsuits: Academic Bullying as a Form of Gendered-Race Discrimination - LaWanda W. Ward, Pennsylvania State University

• An Exploration of the CROWN Act’s Relevance to Black Women in the Academy - Raquel Muñiz, Boston College

• Retaining Black Women Faculty: Cultivating an Equitable Teaching - Josclynn Brandon, Student-Ready Strategies

• Organizational Betrayal for Black Women in an Apathetic Ecosystem of Higher Education - Leah P. Hollis, Pennsylvania State University

Discussant

• Raquel Muñiz, Boston College