Anti-blackness, surface-level diversity continues to matter: what must we do?

Abstract

Purpose

This paper discusses the author's perceptions of anti-blackness, her research on “surface-level” diversity and her recommendations for faculty, administrators and allies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a personal account, drawn from the author's background and experiences teaching and studying diversity. It discusses research on American Blacks' unique experiences with police violence and discrimination in employment, housing, customer service, healthcare and education consistent with anti-blackness.

Findings

Anti-blackness pervades Blacks' everyday experiences, including in academic institutions.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is a viewpoint paper. Researchers should study anti-blackness, looking specifically at Blacks' organizational and societal experiences.

Practical implications

The author provides suggestions for faculty regarding sharing their research findings, teaching about anti-blackness in diversity, human resources, organizational behavior, management and other courses along with mentoring doctoral students. Recommendations for administration to help ensure that Black faculty are hired, valued and supported are also provided.

Social implications

Efforts to identify, acknowledge and dismantle anti-blackness are critical to Blacks and are important to improving diversity, inclusion and equity in society.

Originality/value

This paper provides the author's perspective on anti-blackness, using her personal perceptions and experiences, coupled with research evidence. The author provides suggestions for faculty and administrators based on decades of research and experience in the field and being Black in an anti-black society.

Citation

Bell, M.P. (2020), "Anti-blackness, surface-level diversity continues to matter: what must we do?", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 39 No. 7, pp. 749-759. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-06-2020-0160