Experiences, Wants and Needs of Biracial Students on a College Campus Dr. Alaric A. Williams Arkansas Tech University

The Struggle

About the Presenter Associate Professor, College Student Personnel, Arkansas Tech University Assistant/Associate Professor, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX Backgrounds include: Student Assessment Academic Advising Counseling

Why Biracial Student Research? Many reasons, but most importantly…..

Now about you Let’s take a poll!

Objectives of Presentation Knowledge of historical implications Explore bias and awareness of biracial students What do the students have to say? Provide suggestions/Accept suggestions Learn from others

Definitions Biracial- having a biological mother from one racial group and a biological father from another Multiracial- biological parents are from different racial groups Culture-language customs, traditions, rituals and beliefs Race-social construct that categorizes humans by heritable characteristics

Importance Approximately 9% of the US population identifies as more than one race New student enrollment projection by 2050 Overall population by that same year (2050) Fastest growing group for some time

History Perez V Sharp (1948) “Decided by the Supreme Court of California in which the court held by a 4-3 majority that the state’s ban on interracial marriage violated the 14 th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Freedom to marry

History Loving v Virginia (1967) One Drop Alabama, 2000 US Census of 2000 Mississippi Republicans, 2011

In the News November 2014 Assistant Principal tweets joke about interracial couples retweeting-joke-interracial-couples-insists-didn-t-racist-daughters-black- prom-dates.html#v retweeting-joke-interracial-couples-insists-didn-t-racist-daughters-black- prom-dates.html#v

In the News Do we remember Cheerios? backlash_n_ html#comments backlash_n_ html#comments

And finally…. The Old Navy ad (2016) Oh, happy day! Our #ThankYouEvent is finally here. Take 30% off your entire purchase:#ThankYouEvent

Some of the comments “Absolutely disgusting. What's next? Gender neutral bathrooms? Pedophilia acceptance propaganda?! Never shopping here again.” “Old Navy supports the GENOCIDE of the White race! It takes a White mother and a White father to make a White baby” “Absolutely disgusting that you are pushing #whitegenocide. This is a hate crime.”#whitegenocide “boycotting old navy for saying beautiful black women should get with dusty crackers!”

Biracial Identity Development Kristen Renn’s study focused on the following: Ecological factors Identity Patterns Monoracial Multiple Monoracial Multiracial Extraracial Situational Identify

Biracial Identity Development Ecological factors are influenced by: F2F interactions with + or – racial overtones Interactions with overall campus culture Policies requiring the identification of one’s race Students’ own view of race/culture and their own roles

Current Study Purpose To ascertain the experiences of biracial students Find out more Get conversations going

Current study Participants Current students enrolled in a 4 year institution Self-identified as biracial Undergraduate and graduate students

Current Study Survey Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure Developed by J Phinney (1992) Reliability with alphas above questions Supplemental questions

Results My ethnicity is: 1. Asian or Asian American, including Chinese, Japanese, and others (5%) 2. Black or African American (0%) 3. Hispanic or Latino, including Mexican American, Central American/others (5%) 4. White, Caucasian, Anglo, European American; (16%) 5. American Indian/Native American (5%) 6. Mixed; Parents are from two different groups (63%) 7. Other (write in): _________ (5%)

Results Question 2: I have spent time trying to find out more about my ethnic group such as its history, traditions and customs

Results I am active in organizations or social groups that include mostly members of my own ethnic group

Results I participate in cultural practices of my own group, such as special food, music, or customs

Results I feel a strong attachments toward my own ethnic group.

Results Would you like to see more services, support, resources and/or student organizations for students who identify as more than one race?

Results Specific comment sections Explain what your experiences have been like on your campus being identified as a biracial student

Results Would you like to see more services/resources and or student organizations that cater to students who identify as more than one race?

Comments It would be nice to see a group or student organization that was for mixed students. Too much emphasis is put on race. And maybe my Opinion isn't valid because I'm not incredibly cultured in my ethnicities. Simply.. Just let me be I am not aware of any kind of group for mixed race people and it can be hard deciding if I want to identify as white or black. I do not feel that special services should be provided for students of different races. Everyone wants to be treated equal these days, but than wants special treatment due to their ethnic background. I feel that making special support groups adds fuel to their fire.

Comments I would like a sorority for girls that are mixed because I feel like you have to be white or black to belong in one. It would be cool if there was a group to join where anyone could be a part of it and learn about all kinds of mixed race people and what it is like growing up a part of multiple cultures.

Being Multiracial in America The following video was made by a group of students at Rutgers University

Suggestions Get to know yourself Learn about others Understanding historical contexts Courageous conversations