How Social and Cultural Capital Contributes to Black and Latina/o Engagement With Historically White Fraternal Organizations

• In Event: Using Bourdieusian Tools to Tackle Complex Phenomena

Abstract

Historically and predominantly White fraternal organizations (HPWFs) are select clubs, contributing to social reproduction by hoarding capital and excluding people of color (POC). However, membership demographics are shifting. With Bourdieuan concepts of social and cultural capital, this qualitative exploratory study examines what and how capital shapes POC engagement within HPWFs, including how they navigate issues of race. Findings indicate members of color (a) seek and accept membership to access capital and (b) avoid direct challenges to the racial status quo of HPWFs to maintain capital. This study expands understandings of social reproduction and disruption from POC’s engagement in select clubs.
Keywords: capital, race, social reproduction

Author

• Evelyn Ambriz, The University of Texas at Austin