“Am I Latinx Enough?” Latinx Ethnic Identity, Belonging, and Expression of Latinidad at Oberlin College

Presenter Information

Eder Aguilar, Oberlin College

Location

Virtual presentation

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-27-2020 8:00 AM

End Date

5-2-2020 5:00 PM

Abstract

The number of Latinx students getting into four-year colleges has rapidly increased in the previous three decades. However, in comparison to other ethnic groups, they are the least likely to graduate with a four-year Bachelor’s Degree. This research analyzed the experiences of Latinx students at Oberlin College through a focus of their ethnic identity formation, their feelings of belonging, and their expression of their Latindad. Studying these three areas lead to understanding the complexities of identifying as Latinx and the process of expressing Latinidad. The questions at the core of this research included how are students learning about their ethnic identity in a predominantly white setting? How do students find spaces of belonging, if they do at all? How do students express their Latindad and signal that they are Latinx other students and what are Latinx students doing to graduate with a four-year Bachelor’s Degree? This case study uses interviews and institutional data from Oberlin College in order to understand the relationship between Latinx student experiences, their support groups, and their success.

Keywords:

Latinidad, Latinx/a/o studies, Ethnic studies, Comparative American studies

Notes

Click here to view this presentation at the Office of Undergraduate Research website from April 27-May 2, 2020.

Major

Comparative American Studies

Project Mentor(s)

Gina M. Pérez, Comparative American Studies

April 2020

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Apr 27th, 8:00 AM May 2nd, 5:00 PM

“Am I Latinx Enough?” Latinx Ethnic Identity, Belonging, and Expression of Latinidad at Oberlin College

Virtual presentation

The number of Latinx students getting into four-year colleges has rapidly increased in the previous three decades. However, in comparison to other ethnic groups, they are the least likely to graduate with a four-year Bachelor’s Degree. This research analyzed the experiences of Latinx students at Oberlin College through a focus of their ethnic identity formation, their feelings of belonging, and their expression of their Latindad. Studying these three areas lead to understanding the complexities of identifying as Latinx and the process of expressing Latinidad. The questions at the core of this research included how are students learning about their ethnic identity in a predominantly white setting? How do students find spaces of belonging, if they do at all? How do students express their Latindad and signal that they are Latinx other students and what are Latinx students doing to graduate with a four-year Bachelor’s Degree? This case study uses interviews and institutional data from Oberlin College in order to understand the relationship between Latinx student experiences, their support groups, and their success.