A Red Brick Wall: Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric in a Residence Hall Environment

Abstract

This case study was developed for leadership courses in higher education and student affairs programs, specifically those looking at issues of multiculturalism and social justice. It features a residence hall at a predominantly White institution with a student population and a surrounding town that largely reflect conservative views. Specifically, this case asks educators to think about how they would react to a series of events that indicate xenophobic, racist nativist, and anti-immigrant rhetoric, culminating in a physical barrier being built outside of the hall to symbolize a divide between students. Both the Residence Hall Director and Assistant Residence Hall Director play a key role in responding to these incidents as they hope to strengthen their residence hall community in light of the negative events.