This qualitative study uses the conceptual framework of critical race theory to examine the experiences of White faculty as racial justice allies at a predominantly White institution. Kobrak (1992) has emphasized the significant role that socially concerned White faculty may play on our campuses, describing these faculty as the missing link in institutional efforts for diversity. However, little is known about the experiences of White faculty allies.
The current study addresses this void through the primary research question: What are the experiences of White faculty at a predominantly White institution who participate in the campus community as racial justice allies? This overarching question is investigated through supporting questions: (1) How do these White faculty come to be / identify as allies?; (2) How do the positions of White faculty as allies affect their scholarly work of teaching, research and service?; and (3) How is their ally work influenced by the context of the predominantly White institution?
This study was conducted at a large, research-extensive, public flagship university in the South. Data were collected through in-person interviews with nine faculty participants representing a variety of academic disciplines. These participants were identified through a sampling process that included nominations from students, faculty, and administrators at the selected institution.
The findings from this study suggest that ally mentors or models and experiences that contribute to an understanding of race and racism are important factors in the development of racial justice allies among White faculty. These findings also illuminate a variety of strategies though which these faculty integrate their ally identities and their professional responsibilities of teaching, research, and service. Finally, the faculty participants describe the manner in which the community, departmental, and institutional contexts of their faculty work within the predominantly White campus shape their critique of the institution and their perceived need to continue the work of racial justice.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-11152010-131223 |
| Date | 18 November 2010 |
| Creators | Loftin, Jennifer Kristine |
| Contributors | Cheek, Earl, Mitchell, Roland, Constant, David, Asher, Nina, Bourke, Brian |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11152010-131223/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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