Journal of College & University Student Housing "Housing While Black" Theme Issue - 53

Serving as a Resident Assistant While Black
Black Leaders in the Department
Breaking the silence, Captain recalled how excited she had been to see a Black woman
hall director at the information session:
Based upon my experience, I don't see a lot of people of color in positions of power.
And not to say that her position is like super powerful. But being like a hall director
in a residential hall, to me, is a big thing. Anybody of color that's in a position that
is above me is pretty powerful to me.
Liam nodded. She had been surprised to have Black staff interview her for the RA
position:
I expected to be interviewed by white people. I don't really think of it as, oh, I might see
somebody who looks like me. I've never even thought of that because it's so rare to see
Black people in positions of power and stuff like that. But I automatically go in with the
mindset that I'm going to be interviewed by white people.
Having Black interviewers made her feel more comfortable. " If you slip up and say
'finna' in front of a Black committee it's all right. In a white community that's seen as
unprofessional. You will be called out as ghetto and they won't hire you. "
Brandon nodded slowly. There had been an awkward moment during his interview
with two white staff when he had been confused by a diversity-related question
and asked for clarification:
I was doing good [during the interview] except for that one little moment. It kind of
threw me off and then like the girl was like laughing or whatever, like did like a little smirk
or whatever, that kind of like irritated me a little bit.
Brandon pondered whether race shaped the interviewer's response. " I honestly don't, I
don't really know like what it was. " The others nodded; they could relate to wondering
if race played into awkward or uncomfortable situations.
Captain shifted the conversation to supervisors, saying that she felt more comfortable
in the position because of reporting to two Black supervisors during her first year
as an RA:
I don't think I've ever felt unsafe being in this position, especially as being a Black RA
because I had that buffer of having two Black hall directors. So, if someone were to say
something that was out of pocket, I could go to them and say, hey, this happened to me,
and then we'll talk it out and then after I'll feel much better about myself.
Student nodded. Reflecting on the difference in her relationship with her Black and
white supervisor, she explained,
I can say things to [my Black supervisor] or tell her certain things that she will
only understand because we're, we're there. But if I say something to like to
[my white supervisor], he'll be like, what? Can you explain it a little bit more?
50 The Journal of College and University Student Housing

Journal of College & University Student Housing "Housing While Black" Theme Issue

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