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Silent Struggles: The Emotional Toll of Microaggressions on African American Faculty

Silent Struggles: The Emotional Toll of Microaggressions on African American Faculty
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Author(s): Marcella Smith (East Texas A&M University, USA)
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 16
Source title: Microaggressions Faced by African American Faculty in Higher Education
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): LaVelle Hendricks (East Texas A&M University, USA), Dimitra Jackson Smith (East Texas A&M University, USA)and Delarious O. Stewart (East Texas A&M University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-9914-9.ch006

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Abstract

Teaching at predominantly white universities presents significant challenges for faculty of color, including microaggressions. This chapter explores the emotional burden these microaggressions place on African American faculty. A systematic review found that microaggressions are common and subtle, with adverse effects on the educational environment. Coping mechanisms and institutional strategies can help mitigate these effects. Interviews with African American faculty revealed microaggressions such as demeaning stereotypes and exclusion during hiring and promotion, affecting their perceptions of academia and increasing their likelihood of leaving. Addressing these experiences and developing supportive interventions can promote retention and professional growth. A case study of African American faculty at a predominantly white campus identified recurring racial microaggressions, highlighting the need for efforts to improve the university climate to better support African American faculty.

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