Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 50, No. 1 - 23

The Impact of White Supremacy
Interviews were coded using oral coding, a process in which the researcher listens
to the interview recordings repeatedly, noting salient passages and being attuned
to tone and emotional nuance (Saldaña, 2016). Participants noted that the module
helped them become aware of their defensive reactions, develop a shared language,
and take more time to listen when engaging with others. BIPOC participants commented
that the module created a feeling of validation and being seen. Mindful awareness
of defensive reactions supported participants in their interactions with others.
As one participant described,
For me it was definitely recognizing my own defensive responses and the physical
reactions that I get, like my heart racing. Now I have a name for it. I always felt it when
somebody was talking to me and I felt the need to defend myself, but I never had the
ability to put that word to it and so now I can recognize it and am able to be calmer
and more open with others.
The participant's awareness supported a shift in behavior. With their ability to recognize
defensive reactions, they were able to calm themselves and be more open in a conversation.
And, as another participant clarified, the development of shared language
supported conversations with colleagues.
A lot of us took the training, so we have a shared understanding, at least, that
defensiveness is a thing that we have to address. The shared language, I think, is the
most important thing. The fact that the training put out there, that this is something we all
have to deal with. It's not blaming any one person or saying you're a bad person, it's just
saying, this is how we are is helpful. The different examples and the different names for
the types of defensive reactions, I think, are helpful and that they're comparable, so like
I would be able to say, " Oh, remember from the training, when someone tried to explain
away something-that's kind of what I'm feeling here. "
Shared language supported them in disrupting defensive routines without triggering
feelings of accusation and blame.
Participants reported that the module validated their lived experience, helping
them feel seen. This was particularly affirmed by BIPOC participants.
I definitely felt validated for some of the things that I thought were just in my head. As a
young Person of Color, there's not very many of me in the Department, you know of my
identity. I encounter a lot in a very White male-dominated role. It was validating to see
that what I had experienced was not just in my head. It was validating.
The training validated the participants' experience, allowing them to see that defensive
reactions were real and not simply a figment of their imaginations. As another
Explicitly naming the historical and
systematic context of White supremacy
is critical for the success of antiracism efforts.
20 The Journal of College and University Student Housing

Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 50, No. 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 50, No. 1