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Navigating Silence: White Student Leaders' Silence and Fear When Addressing Race

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Title: Navigating Silence: White Student Leaders' Silence and Fear When Addressing Race
Language: English
Authors: Joshua K. Taylor
Source: Journal of Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship. 2026 8(1):19-40.
Availability: National Association of Campus Activities. 13 Harbison Way, Columbia, SC 29212. Tel: 803-732-6222; e-mail: education@naca.org; Web site: https://www.naca.org/JCAPS/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: White Students, Race, Undergraduate Students, Predominantly White Institutions, Leadership Role, Student Attitudes, Student Leadership, Racial Attitudes, Cultural Awareness, Fear, Student Behavior
Abstract: This general qualitative study examined how white undergraduate student leaders at three historically white institutions (HWIs) understood and navigated race, whiteness, and leadership. Using photo elicitation in semi-structured interviews and focus groups, data were collected from 18 participants (n = 18). Thematic analysis revealed a culture of racial silence, fear of missteps, and limited racial consciousness in leadership contexts. Participants described discomfort discussing race and often withdrew from cross-racial engagement. The findings suggest that whiteness operated invisibly, reinforcing ethnocentric norms and limiting students' readiness to lead across difference. The study recommends intentional leadership education that integrates critical reflection about race, raising racial awareness through dialogues, and empathy building through leadership opportunities in diverse teams.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506491
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1506491
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  Data: Navigating Silence: White Student Leaders' Silence and Fear When Addressing Race
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Campus+Activities+Practice+and+Scholarship%22"><i>Journal of Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship</i></searchLink>. 2026 8(1):19-40.
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  Data: National Association of Campus Activities. 13 Harbison Way, Columbia, SC 29212. Tel: 803-732-6222; e-mail: education@naca.org; Web site: https://www.naca.org/JCAPS/
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  Data: 22
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22White+Students%22">White Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Race%22">Race</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Predominantly+White+Institutions%22">Predominantly White Institutions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Leadership+Role%22">Leadership Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Leadership%22">Student Leadership</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Racial+Attitudes%22">Racial Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fear%22">Fear</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Behavior%22">Student Behavior</searchLink>
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  Data: This general qualitative study examined how white undergraduate student leaders at three historically white institutions (HWIs) understood and navigated race, whiteness, and leadership. Using photo elicitation in semi-structured interviews and focus groups, data were collected from 18 participants (n = 18). Thematic analysis revealed a culture of racial silence, fear of missteps, and limited racial consciousness in leadership contexts. Participants described discomfort discussing race and often withdrew from cross-racial engagement. The findings suggest that whiteness operated invisibly, reinforcing ethnocentric norms and limiting students' readiness to lead across difference. The study recommends intentional leadership education that integrates critical reflection about race, raising racial awareness through dialogues, and empathy building through leadership opportunities in diverse teams.
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  Data: EJ1506491
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 19
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: White Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Race
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Predominantly White Institutions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leadership Role
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Racial Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Awareness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fear
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Behavior
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Navigating Silence: White Student Leaders' Silence and Fear When Addressing Race
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              Y: 2026
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