Black Taxes: African-American Doctoral Students Experiencing Tokenism at a Predominantly White Institution

Abstract

This hermeneutic phenomenological study explores the experiences of African American doctoral students with tokenism at a Midwestern predominantly White institutions (PWI), revealing both advantages and disadvantages, including the toll of “Black taxes” in academia. Tokenism offers benefits like visibility and resources but brings increased racial stress, loneliness, and extra service demands. These “Black taxes” have physical and emotional effects, leading to racial battle fatigue. Tokenism influences students’ professional development and identity, perpetuating characteristics like hypervisibility and imposter syndrome. Transforming PWIs requires challenging white supremacist structures and prioritizing equity. By addressing tokenism, we may pave the way for a more inclusive and supportive higher education environment.