Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
This study examines how Black students experience cultural expression, identity, and belonging within a predominantly White institutional (PWI) environment. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 20 participants, including survey responses and six semi-structured interviews with three undergraduate students and three alumni. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns across participant experiences. Findings revealed that Black students frequently engage in cultural suppression and identity regulation, including code-switching and modifying their appearance and behavior, in order to navigate academic and social spaces. Participants also described heightened self-awareness, social isolation, and the need to manage how they are perceived in response to racialized expectations. Emotional labor emerged as a significant theme, with students reporting the burden of educating peers, navigating microaggressions, and deciding when to advocate for themselves.
Repository Citation
James, Anita, "Silent Spaces: The Suppression of Black Culture at Predominantly White Institutions" (2026). Honors Theses - Providence Campus. 85.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/student_scholarship/85
