Racial Micro-Affirmations: Latinx Close Friendships and Ethnic Identity Development

Abstract

Through analysis of semi-structured interviews of 30 Latinx college students, we examined how Latinx students experience belonging, acceptance, and affirmations at a Hispanic-Serving Research Institution (HSRI) in California. Drawing from the theoretical perspectives of racial micro-affirmations, we uncovered two major themes: the importance of close friendships and the impact that ethnic studies courses have on ethnoracial identity development. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion of the on-campus experiences of underrepresented students as well as how to best serve and affirm them at HSRIs.

Keywords

• Hispanic-serving research institutions
• racial micro-affirmations
• higher education
• ethnoracial identity development
• development
• close friendships