Institutional Challenges and Racial Dimensions

Abstract

The focus of Chapter 3 is an analysis and discussion of the major challenges that faculty of color (FOC) report experiencing at their institutions. These challenges include racism, microaggressions, misogyny, xenophobia, and disregard for their place in the academy. A significant difficulty that FOC encounter is the sense of being burdened with excessive responsibilities. They also report the devaluing of their work and scholarship, a questioning of their competence in their areas of expertise, and the undermining of their professional legitimacy. These acts of aggression from are exacerbated by unfair teaching evaluations from students. As a result, study respondents report feeling constantly pressured to exceed the efforts of their White counterparts in order to be considered legitimate members of the academy. The performance of invisible labor is another institutional challenge with which FOC grapple. Finally, the chapter underscores the significant impact that these challenges have on the well-being of FOC and their ability to thrive in their careers.