Keep Your Voice to Yourself: The Experiences of Women of Color in Higher Education

This study provides insight into the experiences of women of color in higher education classrooms. Embracing recent literature on the politics of education, the double discrimination experienced by women of color, and the tenets of critical pedagogy, I engaged in qualitative interviews to gain insights into the experiences of women of color in higher education classrooms and reveal suggestions from women of color for improving their classroom experiences. The findings of this study reveal women of color experience appropriation of knowledge and bodies, acceptance of classroom ignorance, and social capital. Further, women of color suggest that if professors/instructors use explicit language, acknowledge diversity, recognize the individual, accept critique, and encourage group discussions it would enhance their classroom experiences. The findings support the literature demonstrating the White/male center of education and the use of critical pedagogical practices to disrupt this center to improve classroom climates for women of color in higher education