African American Students' Perceptions Of Diversity, Inclusion, And Hate Speech

Abstract

African American students' perceptions of diversity, inclusion, and hate speech
were explored to reveal implications for the efficacy of the university's mission and
obligation to diversity. Using qualitative research methodology, six African American
female undergraduate students were interviewed via a semi-structured interview protocol.
Using constant-comparative analysis common categories were drawn revealing nine
salient themes: Artificial Diversity between Races, Implicit Racial Lines, Efforts of
Housing Staff, Missed Educational Opportunities, Encounters with Hate Speech, Subtle
Acts of Hate Speech, Overcoming Stereotypes, Users of Hate Speech, and Speech Codes
are Not the Solution. These findings provided African American students an opportunity
to have a voice on issues that affect their educational experiences and suggested further
points of discussion for Student Affairs practitioners and future researchers striving to
improve campus racial diversity.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Dianne M Timm (Supervisor)