(Re)Claiming What Is Ours: Black Women Scholars Lives Matter, Treading Water in Higher Education

• In Event: Marginalization and Black Women in Higher Education

Abstract

In this collaborative autoethnography, we examine ways that Black women in higher education are forced to conduct research within the borders created for them. Four women scholars/researchers detail their experiences working with white teachers charged with teaching Black students. Collins (1998) coins the term “outsider-within” to describe African-American womanist scholars’ borders crossing. We discuss how our positionalities as researchers impact the behaviors and attitudes of said white teachers. We assess how our realities are transformed as we interact with white bodies in varying classrooms. We hope to expose the lived experiences of Black women faculty in K-12, higher education, state policymakers, and teacher educators that it encourages open dialogue with white teachers to affect change in educating Black students.

Authors

• Donna-Marie Cole-Malott, East Stroudsburg State University of Pennsylvania

• Shalander L. Samuels, Kean University

• Azaria I. Cunningham, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• Wideline Seraphin, The University of Memphis