When Race Matters: Black Men and Authority Figures

Abstract

ABSTRACT Following the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arberry, and Breonna Taylor, Black folks sought refuge within its community to experience collective healing and demand justice. A 2020 study reported that Black students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) experienced racial microaggressions one to six times within 6 months time affirming the necessity for spaces that center the learning and development of Black students, like historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This article explores the impact of racism on Black men’s engagement with campus authority. The historic abuse Black men have faced by authority figures could have a direct impact on how they engage authority on campus. This study sought to identify if there were any significant mean differences in the likelihood of Black men engaging with Black authority figures versus White authority figures. An online survey collected data from 400 Black men assessing their preference in engagement with authority based on race. Analysis found a higher likelihood of engagement with Black authority rather than White authority regardless of the role they held on campus. This finding dispels the myth that Black men tend to be more disengaged from their academic pursuits and causes institutions to reflect on how representation effects students’ willingness to engage. With Black educators making up 60% of faculty at HBCUs, HBCUs can serve as havens for Black men to find a village and safely engage in their academic experience.