The cost of being professors and administrators of color in predominantly white institutions: unpacking microagression, isolation, exclusion, and unfairness through a critical race lens

ABSTRACT

Teaching in predominantly white institutions is a terrific challenge for professors of color. In addition to being expected to fulfill professional obligations, including publishing, teaching, advising, and mentoring students, professors of color constantly have to fight against microaggression, lack of diversity, inclusion, and fairness in the academy. Drawing on critical race theory and testimonios from professors of color from diverse backgrounds, this essay seeks to examine ways in which these professors have experienced these intersecting forms of oppression in the academy. Their testimonios showcase their resilient spirit resisting institutional oppression. This essay presents a very complex portrait of the experiences of professors of color and goes on to offer suggestions that might be helpful to those interested in social justice issues in higher education.

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

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Pierre Wilbert Orelus

Dr. Pierre Wilbert Orelus is associate professor and chair of the Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation department in the Graduate School of Education at Fairfield University. His research is intersectional examining various ways in which language, race, and gender intersect to influence student learning and identities and teachers’ teaching practices. Dr. Orelus has authored numerous articles in top peer-reviewed journals, including Qualitative Research Journal, Journal of Black Studies, and Race, Gender, and Class journal. In addition, Dr. Orelus has authored dozens of scholarly books and book chapters. His most recent books include Social Justice for the Oppressed: Educators and Intellectuals Speak out (Rawman and Littefield, 2017) and Race, Power, and the Obama Legacy (Routledge, 2015).