Understanding anti-blackness at Hispanic-serving research universities
At Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), conversations about diversity often center on supporting Hispanic/Latine students. New research from scholars at University of New Mexico highlights an importa
At Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), conversations about diversity often center on supporting Hispanic/Latine students. New research from scholars
Read Full Story at Phys.org →Why This Matters
Anti-Blackness in higher education is often framed as a Black-white issue, but its presence in Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) exposes systemic gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts nationwide. The findings from the University of New Mexico challenge institutions to confront how racial hierarchies manifest differently across Hispanic-serving and historically Black contexts, reshaping the national conversation on racial justice in academia.
Background Context
HSIs were created under federal legislation in 1992 to address underrepresentation of Hispanic/Latine students, but funding and programming rarely extend to Black students within these institutions. The racialization of Hispanic identity as non-Black—despite considerable Afro-Latine populations—has historically allowed HSIs to sidestep accountability for anti-Black discrimination, reinforcing a hierarchy that privileges lighter-skinned communities even in spaces designed to uplift marginalized groups.
What Happens Next
Institutions may face increased pressure to audit policies and curricula for anti-Black bias, but resistance is likely from those who view such critiques as unfairly targeting Hispanic communities. Watch for whether federal funding mechanisms for HSIs begin to incorporate explicit anti-racism provisions, or if this remains a grassroots-driven accountability effort without structural backing.
Bigger Picture
This research reflects a broader reckoning where institutions built to serve one marginalized group are being scrutinized for their treatment of others within their walls. It underscores how racial equity in higher education cannot be siloed by ethnicity or language, and how the legacy of white supremacy adapts even within communities of color fighting for their own recognition.
