The Psychological Costs of Experiencing Racial Discrimination in the Ivory Tower: The Untold Stories of Black Men Enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Doctoral Programs

Due to the dearth of literature that has foregrounded the psychological causes and conditions impacting Black men's academic success while enrolled in STEM doctoral programs, this qualitative study examined the psychological costs of racism among 20 Black men enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) doctoral programs. Utilizing Critical Race Theory to contextualize and situate this study, this manuscript explored racialized interactions between Black men and their non-Black advisors and colleagues using semi-structured qualitative interviews. The multiple forms of racism that Black men encounter consists of (1) Black male exceptionalism (e.g., the Barack Obama Effect), (2) the expectation that they will be the spokesperson for the entire Black race, (3) the White oppositional gaze directed towards their physical appearance and stature, and (4) that their departments turn a blind eye towards issues of racism. Black men navigate, negotiate, and respond to racism in their departments by resigning from their diversity-focused leadership positions due to their racialized 'token' status, tapping into their spirituality, and by acquiring an arrogant yet humble demeanor to combat racial hostilities. The recommendations of this study provide strategies and tools for ensuring that college and university administrators and faculty provide safe spaces for Black men to thrive and succeed in academia.