Campus Racialized Space and its Impacts on Racial/Ethnic Identity Development for Latino/as of Mexican Origin

• In Event: 190 - Section on Latino/a Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. Latina/o Experiences in Educational Institutions

Abstract

Research continues to find that Latinos/as experience racism, marginalization, and isolation on several university campuses in the U.S. Findings show that these experiences are common in predominantly white institutions. However, research that looks at experiences at Hispanic Serving Institutions is less clear about how Latinos/as fair in these institutions that tend to have student bodies with various racial compositions. This study investigates how different experiences with racialized space and campus racial climate impact the racial/ethnic identity development of Latinos/as of Mexican origin at three universities located in the Southwest through in-depth qualitative interviews and in-depth analysis of the racialized spaces at each institution. Findings show that not only do students at the Hispanic Serving Institution with a 40 percent Latino/a student body report similar experiences with racism in the classroom as Latino/a students at the predominantly white institution (67 percent white/20 percent Latino/a), but also share similar experiences social norms that pressure assimilation and lack of resources to explore their racial/ethnic identity in positive ways. Rather, it was at a Hispanic Serving Institution with an 80 percent Latino/a student body where very positive changes in institutional support and social norms fostered an environment where participants felt that they could learn more about and celebrate their racial/ethnic identities. This study calls that research into Hispanic Serving Institutions need to be very clear about the distinction of experiences due to various racial compositions and histories of dealing with racial isssues at each institution.

Author

• Marisa Estela Sanchez, California State University Bakersfield