When Race Matters: Black Men and Authority Figures

ABSTRACT

Following the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arberry, and Breonna Taylor, Black folks sought refuge within its community to experience collective healing and demand justice. A 2020 study reported that Black students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) experienced racial microaggressions one to six times within 6 months time affirming the necessity for spaces that center the learning and development of Black students, like historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This article explores the impact of racism on Black men’s engagement with campus authority. The historic abuse Black men have faced by authority figures could have a direct impact on how they engage authority on campus. This study sought to identify if there were any significant mean differences in the likelihood of Black men engaging with Black authority figures versus White authority figures. An online survey collected data from 400 Black men assessing their preference in engagement with authority based on race. Analysis found a higher likelihood of engagement with Black authority rather than White authority regardless of the role they held on campus. This finding dispels the myth that Black men tend to be more disengaged from their academic pursuits and causes institutions to reflect on how representation effects students’ willingness to engage. With Black educators making up 60% of faculty at HBCUs, HBCUs can serve as havens for Black men to find a village and safely engage in their academic experience.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. Pierre Sherrill

A. Pierre Sherrill II With over 15 years of experience working with college students and as a nonprofit executive, Dr. A. Pierre Sherrill’s passion to see people engage in their own path towards liberation has charted an exciting journey of constant learning, fun and fulfillment. Pierre received a BA in Deaf Studies & African American Studies and a MA in Educational Leadership from CSU, Northridge. He obtained his doctorate from San Diego State University, where he is studied the impact of race on Black men’s engagement with campus authority figures.

In 2023, Pierre founded EduLib Consulting; a service company that offers life and professional coaching, training and facilitation, as well as keynote speaking. For nearly a decade, he has served as a lecturer. He has facilitated equity-focused learning at his alma mater, CSU, Northridge, Fresno State, and the University of San Francisco. He makes critical conversations about social justice issues palatable for baseline understanding.