Rage In (and Out) the Cage: Black Students’ Negotiation of Safety

Abstract

This study explored the dynamic nature of 42 Black undergraduate and graduate students’ senses of safety as it relates to their college campuses due to the shifting vulnerabilities exposed in the current political and societal climate. We sought to make meaning of the pervasive threat to Black students’ safety related to their campus, which is linked to and transcends physical proximity to the campus. This line of inquiry offers the chance to construct a more dynamic understanding of safety than traditionally defined by institutions, which creates avenues for more thoughtful and equitable practice. In this work, we explore (1) how anti-Blackness informs student identities and (2) strategies used to protect against white rage on and off campus. Our findings and analytical approach provide new ways to theorize and strategize policies and practices to ensure Black students’ safety.

Plain Language Summary

Scholars have proposed various ways to help Black students feel safe on their college campuses; however, there are still racist systems that exist both on and off campus, which hinder their sense of safety. This paper explores some of these strategies and how they can be improved. While there are existing models that discuss campus safety, they fail to consider the unique experiences of Black students and do not address racial issues. The research involved interviewing 42 Black undergraduate and graduate students across America to understand how they navigate and maintain a sense of safety on campus. To understand the participant’s experiences, interviews were conducted online via the Zoom platform and lasted 60 to 90 min. Our findings explore (1) how anti-Blackness informs student identities and (2) strategies used to protect against white rage on and off campus.