Publication Date

2004

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Roth, Gene L.

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education

LCSH

African American professional employees--Attitudes; Multiculturalism

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the privilege of lightness—skin tone bias—among African Americans in the workplace. Using the grounded theory method, 10 African Americans were interviewed about their experiences with this form of homogeneous group privilege. Data reveal the negative workplace effects, the ignorance, and the contradictory nature of the phenomenon and that when they are coupled with passive acceptance, these perpetuate the issues. Also, current diversity training models are not designed to address the issues resulting from homogeneous group privilege because they omit diverse issues of power and privilege and lack the pragmatic approaches needed to resolve them. A reciprocal relationship exists between these two factors, creating a cycle of silence regarding power and privilege in the workplace. Recommendations for breaking the cycle include applying critical human resource development perspectives in diversity training.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [111]-117).

Extent

viii, 131 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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