The Mediating Role of Colorblindness on Gender and Acceptability of Racial Microaggressions among Black People at a Historically White Institution

Authors

  • Brea Banks Illinois State University, USA
  • Jazsmine Towner Illinois State University, USA
  • Arielle N. Flint Illinois State University, USA
  • Tyra M. Jackson Illinois State University, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/93yh0h77

Keywords:

microaggression, colorblindness, Historically white Institution

Abstract

 

Chronic exposure to racial microaggressions (i.e., interpersonal race-based insults or invalidations that are often based stereotypes) may lead to traumatic stress symptoms, increased headaches, reduced self-efficacy, and fatigue among Black individuals. We were interested in examining differences in how Black students, faculty, and staff at a historically white institution rate racial microaggressions as acceptable, with particular focus on gender and colorblind racial attitudes as predictors. Using survey-based methods and mediation analysis, we found that colorblind racial attitudes mediate the relation between gender and ratings of acceptability. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Author Biographies

  • Brea Banks, Illinois State University, USA

    BREA M. BANKS, PhD is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Illinois State University. She is a licensed school and clinical psychologist. Her research interests include the cognitive consequences of microaggression and more broadly the experiences of Students of Color. Her teaching interests surround cognitive assessment, multicultural counseling, and social justice issues in psychology.

  • Jazsmine Towner, Illinois State University, USA

    JAZSMINE TOWNER, PhD is a graduate of Illinois State University’s School Psychology Doctoral program. She has provided mental health support for children and families holding marginalized identities across various settings. Her research interests include the cognitive consequences of gendered and racial microaggressions for Black women and variables that mitigate or exacerbate the effects.

  • Arielle N. Flint, Illinois State University, USA

    ARIELLE N. FLINT, PhD is a graduate of Illinois State University’s School Psychology Doctoral program. She served as an undergraduate clinician for two years and continued as a graduate clinician for three years at her university’s autism clinic, where she provided individual ABA services and facilitated social skills and caregiver groups. Her primary research interest includes income-driven microaggressions and the mental health experiences of Black adolescents, and she works to advance assessment practices that are inclusive, equitable, and culturally attuned for children and their parents.

  • Tyra M. Jackson, Illinois State University, USA

    TYRA M. JACKSON, PhD is a graduate of Illinois State University’s School Psychology Doctoral program. Her research interests include the schooling and mental health experiences of Black youth, the cognitive impacts of racial microaggressions and promoting culturally responsive and socially just assessment and service provision. She has published material surrounding racial microaggressions for college students attending Historically White Institutions, and socially just behavior analytic services. 

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Published

2025-05-25

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Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Underrepresented & Minority Progress

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