Beyond the margin: a (critical) qualitative study of people of color in intercollegiate forensics

Abstract

As the communication discipline continues to grapple with issues pertaining to identity, representation, and equity, it is pivotal that such conversations take place in the domain of intercollegiate forensics as well. While some national organizations have begun to more seriously address the process of improving inclusivity outcomes, little research has been conducted on marginalized populations in the activity. Drawing on critical communication pedagogy, this qualitative study explores the experiences of people of color in competitive intercollegiate forensics. Interviews with people of color within the community reveal three major tensions that are being negotiated: voice ←→ constraint, belonging ←→ exclusion, and support ←→ burnout. Exploring these tensions provides a way of understanding how diverse viewpoints might better be supported in the activity.

Keywords:

• Forensics
• race
• ethnicity
• critical communication pedagogy
• diversity

Disclosure statement

The author has no known conflicts to disclose.

Notes

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Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a Dr. Bruce Manchester Scholar Series grant from the American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament. The author would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers and Dr. Jason Jordan for their invaluable feedback on this essay.

Notes on contributors

Carlos A. Tarin

Carlos A. Tarin (Ph.D., University of Utah) is an Assistant Professor and Director of Forensics in the Department of Communication at The University of Texas at El Paso. His research spans multiple areas and is focused on environmental communication, organizational communication, Latina/o/x communication, and forensic pedagogy.