COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Fred Bonner
TITLE: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF A WHITE MALE SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLY ADMINISTRATOR CONFRONTING RACISM AT A PREDOMINATELY WHITE INSTITUTION
ABSTRACT: Research focusing on White male allies confronting racism on Predominately White campuses remains scarce. White males in higher education dominate leadership roles, and these roles still perpetuate White privilege on predominately White campuses. According to Lemaire (2001), White privilege examples can be found in four paradigms. The first is that Whiteness is normal; the second is that Whiteness is found in the execution of power; the third is that Whiteness is the standard; and the fourth is that Whiteness is American society. These findings suggest that White privilege in the academy is seen as valuable and highly regarded by those who possess it. Ostrove and Brown (2017) note that self-identified social justice allies have been studied; however, there is a need to study social justice allies whom people of color and other marginalized groups have identified. L. D. Patton and Bondi (2015) suggest exploring the journey of White male allies in their ally work. They suggest more research on White male allies who work dismantling barriers on institutional and systemic factors.
This study examined the experiences of a White male social justice ally administrator and explored his experiences to identify factors that contributed to his success in confronting racism in the academy. White male social justice ally administrators in higher education who confront racism within the academy use their privilege to redefine a more equitable higher education system. Based on the participant’s responses, this researcher hopes their experiences will provide factors that influence others to continue confronting structural racism within the academy
Keywords: Social Justice Ally, Structural Racism, Predominately White Institution.
Room Location: DELCO, Room 220
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95512358808
Meeting ID: 955 1235 8808