Defining Diversity: Ethnic Differences in Black Students' Perceptions of Racial Climate

This qualitative study addresses the potential range of perspectives within the Black student community, focusing specifically on differences by ethnicity and nativity. Narratives were collected from 43 Black students (15 native, 28 immigrants) enrolled at a predominantly White research institution, analyzing their perspectives on diversity and campus racial climate. Findings suggest both race and ethnicity have the potential to shape ways in which Black students engage and perceive campus racial climate. Second and 2.5 generation Black immigrants were more likely to experience and perceive climate in ways similar to their native Black peers, perceiving a lack of racial diversity and experiences with marginalization on campus. However, second and 2.5 generation students perceived more stereotypes in the classroom, whereas native students discussed more frequent social marginalization. First-generation immigrants described more campus diversity, and noted fewer encounters with racial discrimination. All students expressed interest in engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds but noted varying levels of inclusion and their desire to find welcoming environments in which to engage their peers.