Marked Men: African American Men Overcoming Comparative Racialized Marking in Their Undergraduate Experience at a Historically White Institution

• In Event: 52.084 - Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: 52.084-15 - Educating and Empowering Black Males: Insights From Research

Abstract

This study of Black men attending a public institution in the west who were either about to or had recently graduated with their BA/BS. Each was given interviewed about their perceptions of their undergraduate experience. The findings show that all had experienced comparative racialization: they were marked, stereotyped and isolated through micro and macro aggressive acts because they were Black. They overcame this stereotype threat and stress by finding support in affinity groups and/or in those organizations that provided a safe space. They also increased their engagement with the larger campus community. Through their experiences, they demonstrate how to overcoming the barriers to Black male undergraduate success. This presentation adds to the literature on the success strategies of Black men.

Author

• Ray Black, Colorado State University - Fort Collins