Privilege Liberalism and Race- Experiences of People of Color Living in a Predominantly White Community

Across the nation university initiatives indicate an active interest in increasingracial diversity on college campuses and in their surrounding communities.However the number of People of Color who initially attend these universitiesoften leave prior to graduation. The findings of this study based inBoulder Colorado indicate that predominantly white university communities(PWUC) that self-identify as liberal may prove as racially tense for People ofColor as more conservative communities.This study includes discussion of the following:- Whites in these communities often feel entitled to educate people of colorabout ethnic culture.- Whites in these communities celebrate the visual aspects of ethnic culturebut struggle with the cross-cultural communication challenges thataccompany a history of racial inequity.- People of Color living in PWUC's communities cope by being silent hyperethnocentricand emotionally or physically retreating.- Youth of Color who grow up in these PWUC's often feel awkward withother People of Color.The results of this research further the discussion of diversity racism andclassism between various racial groups living in predominantly white liberalcommunities. It is useful for educators scholars and sociologists interested inissues of diversity intercultural and intracultural communication.