Understanding multiracial college student virtual community
Date
2022
Authors
Luna, Rachel H., author
Anderson, Sharon K., advisor
McKenna, Kelly, advisor
John, Elizabeth, committee member
Martey, Rosa Mikeal, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the role of social media in the lives of Multiracial college students as they build and maintain community. A phenomenological approach enabled answering the research question: How do Multiracial students use social media to build and maintain community? Informed by critical multiracial theory and virtual kinship frameworks, the study included elicitation interviews with 10 Multiracial students as they shared self-selected examples from their social media. Three themes emerged from the data: seeking similarities with Multiracial people, cultivating an online persona, and engaging in Multiracial discourse. Based on this study's findings, practitioners and scholars are encouraged to adopt a critical approach to Multiracial policy and practice and facilitate the development of virtual Multiracial affinity spaces.