Racial Stressors and the Black College Experience at Predominately White Institutions

Abstract

African American students attending predominately white institutions (PWIs) face a different climate than their white counterparts. This is due to their unique experiences shaped by the multifaceted issues of racism that often go unnoticed by the broader campus. Racism produces race-related stress, which has been linked with psychological and health issues, such as low self-esteem, concentration issues, anxiety, and depression. Noting the complex context in which Black students exist at PWIs, racial-stressors and their effects, this thesis explores what happens to Black students after experiencing a high-profile racial incident. Using the University of Missouri as a focal point, it aims to understand the experiences of Black students and how major racial events affect their academic goals. It also examines the roles campus protests play in alleviating or exacerbating racial-stressors and the feeling of being “unwelcomed” at institutions.