“Wait, Are We Like, Friends?” Examining the Relationship Between Cross-Racial Friendships and Critical Scholars’ Development

• In Event: Inter/Trans/Cross Racial Relationships: Affinities and Tensions

Abstract

Friendships among women have endured over time, but cross-racial friendships, especially between Black and White women, are less common (Plummer et al., 2016). During our doctoral journey within an Education program, our cross-racial friendship has enriched our understanding as emerging critical scholars. Grounded in the Theory of Interpersonalizing Cultural Difference and Critical Race Feminism, this study explores the development of cross-racial friendships and their impact on becoming critical scholars. Our reflections reveal two main themes: reciprocal interactions and honest confrontation with dialogue about race. Within these, we identified four subthemes: cultivating trust and vulnerability, novice experiences, building solidarity, and appreciating differences. We recommend that education programs intentionally recruit Black women and create environments conducive to cross-racial relationship building.

Authors

• Simone Wilson, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Jasmyne Yeldell, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Stephani Nummelin, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill