“Can You Read English?” Latino Men College Students' Experiences With Micro-Aggressions and Counter-Spaces

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 10:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Latinidad: Diverse Perspectives and Educational Implications (Table 10)

Abstract

Latin* students consistently encounter hostile campus racial climates, racial microaggressions, and additional racial stressors distinct from those experienced by their White peers, which contribute to doubts about their academic self-concept, retention at their institution, prospects for graduation, and sense of belonging (Hurtado & Carter, 1997; Solórzano et al., 2000; Yosso et al., 2009). Through a campus racial climate framework, we analyze Latino men college students’ interviews to understand how they experience higher education. Analysis revealed that Latino men college students experienced implicit and overt micro-aggressions from different members of the 4-year university (e.g., peers, faculty), requiring the students to depend on counter spaces in student organizations to foster a positive campus racial climate.

Authors

• Catherine Restrepo-Widney, Florida Atlantic University

• Cristobal Salinas Jr, Florida Atlantic University

• Sarah Rodriguez, Virginia Tech

• Marissa Vasquez, San Diego State University

• Jana Valentine, Florida Atlantic University