Navigating the balance between incorporating Latino/a/x identity and tokenism in the academy: The “immigration scholar” case study

• In Event: Roundtable: The Experiences of Junior Latina/o/x/e Faculty in Criminal Justice Programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions

Abstract

Research over the 25 years has repeatedly demonstrated the increasing political and public association between “Latino/a/x” identity and immigration. Although the immigration system has an intricate system of admissibility based on one’s “nationality,” the political discourse often centers on select “statuses” (i.e., unauthorized/ undocumented), nationalities (i.e., Mexican), and modes of entry (i.e., “Southern border”). Research rarely addresses how Latino/a/x immigration scholars navigate the delicate balance between identity politics, reflexivity in research, and the potential tokenism of faculty of color inside and outside of the classroom. The authors explore these issues within the context of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and discuss potential strategies for scholars across the academy.

Author

• Krystlelynn Caraballo, Arizona State University