"We Haven't Seen Any Action": A Black Critical Theory Analysis of How Black Undergraduates Perceive Institutional Responses to Incidents of Anti-Blackness

As leaders of Historically and predominantly White institutions are prompted to act in response to glaring racial incidents on both local and national scales, it is important to understand the perspectives of those most affected. This study uses Black critical theory to examine how Black undergraduates perceive institutional responses to explicit incidents of anti-Blackness at Penn State University, University Park campus. Through in-depth interviews and qualiative analysis, the findings reveal that institutional responses often perpetuate anti-Blackness rather than mitigate it. Specifically, the study identifies three main themes: (a) invalidation of Black racial realities, where the lived experiences and concerns of Black students are minimized or dismissed; (b) lack of concern for Black students, demonstrated by lack of follow-through on commitments to address anti-Blackness; and (c) initiatives as lip service, where institutional actions are seen as performative rather than substantive. These findings have important implications for policy and practice, highlighting the need for more authentic and effective responses from university leadership to address anti-Blackness at Historically and predominantly White institutions.