One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: The Current Manifestations of Race in Higher Education

• In Event: Challenging the Discourse of a Postracial Future: Exploring the Continued Significance of Race in U.S. Higher Education

Abstract

Organization leaders are constantly challenged to create an inclusive environment for a multiplicity of identities including race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, gender, and religion (Cox, 2001), and nowhere is this more of a challenge than in higher education. Unfortunately, within all the discourse surrounding multiculturalism in inclusivity in higher education, the focus on repairing the unique damage resulting from racial disparity has been all but been abandoned. Race has historically contributed to group advantage and disadvantage based on physical traits that may or may not represent cultural, national or ethnic similarities (Skinner, 2007; Smedley & Smedley, 2005; Lee, Beale Spencer, & Harpalani, 2003; Gabard & Cooper, 1998) and continues to marginalize students, faculty and staff of color (Smith, & Wolf-Wendel, 2005; Tate, 1997; Solorzano, 1997; Ladson Billings & Tate, 1995) on college campuses. This chapter will point to the multiple ways race continues to manifest and rear its ugly head to negatively impact the lives of those who seek either to contribute to or participate in this influential and socially propelling institution we call higher education.

Authors

• Franklin A. Tuitt, University of Denver

• Bridgette Coble, University of Denver

• Floyd Cobb, Cherry Creek Schools

• Kristin Lee Deal, University of Denver