Files
Abstract
This qualitative study grounded in the methodological traditions associated with Critical Race Theory, incorporated the use of storytelling and narratives in an attempt to uncover the nature of racist experiences for undergraduate Black men attending predominately White Institutions. In an effort to further understand the impact of these experiences, this study integrated the use of written reflection and photo elicitation in a attempted to expose the meaning participants made from their experiences and their personal perceptions of the campus climate as it related to racial tensions experienced as undergraduate Black men. Through the use of narrative analysis the researcher was able to conclude that the nature of racist experiences on predominately White college campuses are immeasurable, resulting in the ability of participants to encounter racially charged events from an array of internal stakeholders and constituents. Regardless of their level of engagement, participants were predisposition to experience racism within every aspect of their membership as members of the campus community. Participants ability to construct meaning varied. For some, their experience caused a limited desire to interaction with their White peers, while others used their encounter as an opportunity to grow as they strived to modify the role and effect of racial differences on campus. As it relates to the campus culture, each participant was able to identify areas in which they felt environmental incongruence between institutional traditions and norms, and their racial identity. Although participants were able to recognize the role of race in perpetuating social imbalances on campus, they were able to successfully integrate themselves into the academic environment, which allowed them to develop a desire to persist throughout their collegiate experience.