Transcript Experiences, Wants and Needs of Biracial Students on a College

Experiences, Wants and Needs of Biracial Students on a
College Campus
Dr. Alaric A. Williams
Arkansas Tech University
The Struggle
• https://youtu.be/ob-qmfvnQVo
About the Presenter
• Associate Professor, College Student Personnel, Arkansas Tech University
• Assistant/Associate Professor, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX
• Backgrounds include:
• Student Assessment
• Academic Advising
• Counseling
Why Biracial Student Research?
• Many reasons, but most importantly…..
Now about you
• Let’s take a poll!
Objectives of Presentation
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Knowledge of historical implications
Explore bias and awareness of biracial students
What do the students have to say?
Provide suggestions/Accept suggestions
Learn from others
Definitions
• Biracial- having a biological mother from one racial group and a
biological father from another
• Multiracial- biological parents are from different racial groups
• Culture-language customs, traditions, rituals and beliefs
• Race-social construct that categorizes humans by heritable
characteristics
Importance
• Approximately 9% of the US population identifies as more
than one race
• New student enrollment projection by 2050
• Overall population by that same year (2050)
• Fastest growing group for some time
History
• Perez V Sharp (1948)
• “Decided by the Supreme Court of California in which the court held by a 4-3 majority
that the state’s ban on interracial marriage violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution
• Freedom to marry
History
• Loving v Virginia (1967)
• https://www.facebook.com/PopSugarCelebrity/videos/10154238616269824/
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One Drop
Alabama, 2000
US Census of 2000
Mississippi Republicans, 2011
In the News
• November 2014
• Assistant Principal tweets joke about interracial couples
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2843529/School-official-leaveretweeting-joke-interracial-couples-insists-didn-t-racist-daughters-blackprom-dates.html#v-3899650653001
In the News
• Do we remember Cheerios?
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/cheerios-commercial-racistbacklash_n_3363507.html#comments
And finally….
• The Old Navy ad (2016)
• Oh, happy day! Our #ThankYouEvent is finally here. Take 30% off your
entire purchase:
Some of the comments
• “Absolutely disgusting. What's next? Gender neutral bathrooms? Pedophilia
acceptance propaganda?! Never shopping here again.”
• “Old Navy supports the GENOCIDE of the White race!
It takes a White mother and a White father to make a White baby”
• “Absolutely disgusting that you are pushing #whitegenocide. This is a hate
crime.”
• “boycotting old navy for saying beautiful black women should get with dusty
crackers!”
Biracial Identity Development
Kristen Renn’s study focused on the following:
• Ecological factors
• Identity Patterns
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Monoracial
Multiple Monoracial
Multiracial
Extraracial
Situational Identify
Biracial Identity Development
• Ecological factors are influenced by:
• F2F interactions with + or – racial overtones
• Interactions with overall campus culture
• Policies requiring the identification of one’s race
• Students’ own view of race/culture and their own roles
Current Study
• Purpose
• To ascertain the experiences of biracial students
• Find out more
• Get conversations going
Current study
• Participants
• Current students enrolled in a 4 year institution
• Self-identified as biracial
• Undergraduate and graduate students
Current Study
• Survey
• Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure
• Developed by J Phinney (1992)
• Reliability with alphas above .80
• 15 questions
• Supplemental questions
Results
• My ethnicity is:
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1. Asian or Asian American, including Chinese, Japanese, and others (5%)
2. Black or African American (0%)
3. Hispanic or Latino, including Mexican American, Central American/others (5%)
4. White, Caucasian, Anglo, European American; (16%)
5. American Indian/Native American (5%)
6. Mixed; Parents are from two different groups (63%)
7. Other (write in): _________ (5%)
Results
• Question 2: I have spent time trying to find out more about my ethnic group
such as its history, traditions and customs
Results
• I am active in organizations or social groups that include mostly members
of my own ethnic group
Results
• I participate in cultural practices of my own group, such as special food,
music, or customs
Results
• I feel a strong attachments toward my own ethnic group.
Results
• Would you like to see more services, support, resources and/or student
organizations for students who identify as more than one race?
Results
• Specific comment sections
• Explain what your experiences have been like on your campus being
identified as a biracial student
Results
• Would you like to see more services/resources and or student organizations
that cater to students who identify as more than one race?
Comments
• It would be nice to see a group or student organization that was for mixed students.
• Too much emphasis is put on race. And maybe my
Opinion isn't valid because I'm not incredibly cultured in my ethnicities. Simply.. Just let
me be
• I am not aware of any kind of group for mixed race people and it can be hard deciding if I
want to identify as white or black.
• I do not feel that special services should be provided for students of different races.
Everyone wants to be treated equal these days, but than wants special treatment due to
their ethnic background. I feel that making special support groups adds fuel to their fire.
Comments
• I would like a sorority for girls that are mixed because I feel like you have to
be white or black to belong in one.
• It would be cool if there was a group to join where anyone could be a part
of it and learn about all kinds of mixed race people and what it is like
growing up a part of multiple cultures.
Being Multiracial in America
• The following video was made by a group of students at Rutgers University
• https://youtu.be/21H9lA6MLHM
Suggestions
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Get to know yourself
Learn about others
Understanding historical contexts
Courageous conversations