This study about racial stereotypes allows society to better understand how black students cope with stereotypical judgments by others, preconceived notions of their intelligence and their ability to succeed in college, especially predominately white institutions. Stereotypes are defined as widely held beliefs that people have certain characteristics because of their membership in a particular group (Weiten & Lloyd, 2003). This study “Facing Stereotypes: A Case Study of Black Students on a White Campus” focuses on African Americans and their role as a minority in a predominantly white environment, i.e. the college campus. The study consisted of focus groups and selected individual interviews with academically successful black students. During the interviews, the subjects spoke about stereotypical situations they had faced and how they dealt with them during their academic careers.

Stereotyping can be either positive or negative. In this study, the African American students were being stereotyped negatively and perceived as intellectually inferior. Due to such assumptions, black students conveyed feelings of abandonment and isolation from campus

All the participants in this study were full-time students in strong academic programs. The sample consisted of six males and eight females. Two students were freshmen, four were sophomores, six were juniors and two were seniors. Thirteen of the students lived on campus and were active in various social and academic programs. The wide variety of students, of different ages and classes, gave the study a diverse collection of emotions, reactions and thoughts about their experiences with stereotypes.

One researcher took notes while the other asked open-ended questions of the students. The researchers then collected the data, analyzed it and emerged with a basic theme. They found that black students did indeed face stereotypes that eroded their academic sense of self.

I believe this study is helpful and useful for several reasons. The collective consciousness of society, especially in the college environment, needs to be raised because awareness is the first step towards addressing the wrongs inflicted on a minority group. Once discussion starts among diverse groups, diversity begins to be appreciated. Another reason I believe the study is helpful is that more than likely, a bi-product of the study would be that the African American would recognize that their needs are being considered and not ignored, as has been done so often in the past.

This article appears to me to be somewhat biased, based on the fact that it focused solely

Some topics in this essay:
African American, African Americans, White Campus, black students, Weiten Lloyd, african americans, african american, experiences black students, White Campus”, experiences black, campus study, academic social, Study Black, Black Students, Stereotypes Study, Students White, study african american, predominantly white, students pwi, academic programs, stereotyping african, stereotyping african americans, shape experiences black, believe study helpful,