Racial Attitudes among Self-Identified American Indian College Students in Oklahoma

• In Event: 130 - Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 07. Racial and Ethnic Attitudes

Abstract

While the literature on racial identity and discourses has largely centered on white and African American similarities and differences, the present study expands our understanding by looking at how self-identified American Indians in higher education experience race today. Applying Bonilla-Silva’s theoretical framework of contemporary racial ideologies, the racial discourses of Native Americans are analyzed to understand their racial attitudes and experiences with race in contemporary society. Using a sample of twenty-nine college students on a predominantly white university campus, we conducted semi-structured interviews to obtain information on racial attitudes. Both discourse and content analysis are used to examine the contemporary racial attitudes of Native American college students. The most racially progressive responses come from men in Native American organizations, older respondents in the study, and those with middle class family incomes. Right behind this racially aware group are college seniors, those who regularly participate in tribal culture, all males, and those who took a course on a racial or ethnic minority group. The least racially progressive are women in Native American organizations, first year college students, and those from lower-income families.

Authors

• Maria-Elena D. Diaz, University of Oklahoma

• Erin Brickman, University of Oklahoma