Twenty Shades of Black: a Phenomenological Study of The

Twenty Shades of Black: a Phenomenological Study of The

Bellarmine University ScholarWorks@Bellarmine Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones Graduate Research 2-27-2019 Twenty Shades of Black: A Phenomenological Study of the Dating, Hooking Up, Belonging, and Thriving Experiences of Black Women Students at Private, Predominantly White Institutions Patricia Carver [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.bellarmine.edu/tdc Part of the Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, and the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation Carver, Patricia, "Twenty Shades of Black: A Phenomenological Study of the Dating, Hooking Up, Belonging, and Thriving Experiences of Black Women Students at Private, Predominantly White Institutions" (2019). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones. 69. https://scholarworks.bellarmine.edu/tdc/69 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at ScholarWorks@Bellarmine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@Bellarmine. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. TWENTY SHADES OF BLACK: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE DATING, HOOKING UP, BELONGING, AND THRIVING EXPERIENCES OF BLACK WOMEN STUDENTS AT PRIVATE, PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTIONS BY Patricia P. Carver A dissertation submitted to the faculty of Bellarmine University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy February 2019 Patricia P. Carver Twenty Shades of Black: A Phenomenological Study of the Dating, Hooking Up, Belonging, and Thriving Experiences of Black Women Students at Private, Predominantly White Institutions Dr. Donald Mitchell (Chair) Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education, Bellarmine University Dr. Corrie Block Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education, Bellarmine University Dr. Mike Ryan Rubel School of Business, Bellarmine University Copyright © 2019 by Patricia P. Carver All Rights Reserved Acknowledgments Karma has been with me throughout this academic journey. Being placed at the same table with Bob Cooter, not once but twice, at Bellarmine events was karma. Once to plant the seed about a new Ph.D. program in education, then again, years later, to convince me to join the Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education’s first cohort. It was not on my radar to pursue this degree until speaking with you. I thank you for that nudge. Having the best cohort in the history of the program, in my opinion, was karma. You are my weekend warriors. Thanks for everything, including all the lively texts, jokes, and knowledge that you imparted on me. Tamekka, Kristie, T. Jai, Jessica, Glenn, Victor, Sarah, and Jerron. You are the best. Most importantly, to my sister circle, whom I could not have survived without, thank you. It was karma that brought you into my life. Kristie and my soror, Tamekka, we cried, laughed, consoled, and cajoled one another throughout the program. You got me through this process. It was karma that we all joined the program at the same time. I love you both. To my committee members, Mike and Corrie, thank you for your wisdom and knowledge. Thank you to the 20 brave women for letting me into the intimate parts of your lives. It was karma that led you into my life. You made my dissertation come alive. I will always remember every one of you and wish you the best as you move on with your lives. You all are destined for greatness. Ida, thank you for the spirits, your advice, friendship, and closed-door sessions. You helped get me through. Elizabeth Dinkins, thank you for teaching me to be a qualitative researcher. I had no idea what it would do for me. My life is forever changed. As well, thank you for believing in my topic. You made the difference; it was karma. i Lorietta, my soror, thank you for sitting beside me in stats and encouraging me. You know I struggled through. You told me I could do it, and I believed you. You showed me the way. I had someone great to model in you. Dawn, my soror, thank you for always being in my corner and coming to my aid without hesitation. You and Lorietta jumped right in and helped when I needed a “critical friend.” Jakia, thank you for arranging the virtual writing retreats, the best kind for me. You keep it real and keep DJ in line and on his toes. Cynthia, thank you for all of the corrections and not laughing too hard at my errors. Karma brought all of you into my life. Toni, thank you for being you and listening when no one else would do. You also know where all the “bodies are buried,” (j/k) and I know all of my secrets are safe with you. I love you. You also brought Cynthia into my life. That was karma. DJ, my professor, my colleague, and most importantly, my friend. How ironic that our paths would cross when I needed you most. It was karma. You came into my life at the most opportune time, like an angel sent to guide me through this process. You pushed me to be a better writer, researcher, and thinker. I will be forever grateful to all that you have done for me. We are friends for life. I cannot thank you enough. Rich, you are my lover, my friend, my chef, and my chauffeur. Best of all, you are my life partner who was with me throughout this process. You tolerated all the late nights, missed ballgames, missed meals, long drives, and messy tables. Thank you for listening to all of my complaining, rubbing my back, giving me hugs, and reminding me this is what I wanted. I’m done! Now we can get on with our lives. I am grateful to have you in my life. Thank you. To my momma, who always believed in me, even when I did not know what I was doing. Thank you for your unwavering support and love. I miss you dearly. Hey Christine, look ii at what I did! I know you were my guardian angel looking down on me and sending all that great karma my way. I know you would be proud of me. I miss and love you. iii Dedication I dedicate this to my granddaughters, Parker and Sinclaire. My thoughts were always on you as I journeyed through this process. You will be in college soon and going on your own journeys. Please always remember who you are and whose you are. Make a difference. Nonna loves you. iv Abstract This qualitative study explored and described the dating and hooking up experiences of 20 Black women students who attended private predominantly White institutions (PPWIs). Further, this study used a phenomenological approach to explore how the participants’ dating experiences influenced their thriving and sense of belonging, with particular interest in the intersections of their race and gender. Four frameworks were used to shape the study: Black feminist thought, intersectionality, sense of belonging, and the thriving concept. The following questions guided this study: (a) What are the dating experiences of Black women at PPWIs? (b) How do these experiences shape their perception of self? (c) How do dating experiences influence the thriving and sense of belonging of Black women at PPWIs? (d) How do dating experiences of Black women at PPWIs influence partner choices? and (e) How do dating experiences of Black women at PPWIs shape the perception of their university? Five central themes emerged: (a) Do they call it dating and hooking up or something else? (b) Black women understand the value of private education but…, (c) What Black women want, (d) The thing about Black women! and, (e) Men on campus expect something different. The study closes with a discussion of the findings and implications for practice and future research. v Table of Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................i Dedication .................................................................................................................................... .iv Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................v List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... .xi Chapter I: Introduction.................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem.....................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study............................................................................................................4 Research Questions..............................................................................................................5 The Significance of the Study..............................................................................................6 Theoretical Framework........................................................................................................7 Summary of Methodology...................................................................................................9 Definition of Terms .........................................................................................................10 Black Women........................................................................................................ 10 Racism................................................................................................................... 10 Sexism ..................................................................................................................

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