an exploratory study of the impact of …...2020/01/10 · an exploratory study of the impact of...

Anexploratorystudyof the impact of UW–Madison’s alcohol culture on students of color

Conductedby:ReondaWashington,MPH,CHESAgustinaMarconi,MD,MPH

MarloReeves,MA,PhDcandidateEmmaJardas,BScandidate

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TheColorofDrinking

StudyDescriptionTheColorofDrinkingexaminedtheimpactthatundergraduatestudentsofcolorexperiencefromUW–Madison’salcoholculture.PurposeThepurposeofthisstudyistounderstandhowstudents—particularlymarginalizedandunderrepresentedstudentsofcolor—perceiveandexperiencealcoholcultureatapredominately-whiteuniversity.DeploymentDatesThesurveydeployedNovember20,2017andclosedJanuary1,2018.TargetPopulationsThesurveywasdeployedtoacensusofundergraduatestudentsofcolor(4,736)andasamplingofwhitestudents(2,000).Forthepurposesofthisstudy,astudentofcolorwasdefinedassomeonewhodidnotidentifysolelyaswhite.MethodsTwosurveysweredevelopedandadministeredinQualtricstothetargetpopulations.Allparticipantswhocompletedthesurveysreceiveda$5Amazongiftcard.CompletionRates1,195(25.2%)undergraduatestudentsofcolorand333(16.7%)whiteundergraduatestudentsrespondedtothesurvey. MicroaggressionsForthisstudy,microaggressionsweredefinedas“briefandcommonplacedailyverbal,behavioral,orenvironmentalindignities,whetherintentionalorunintentional,thatcommunicatehostile,derogatory,ornegativeracialslightsandinsultstowardpeopleofcolor(Sueetal,2007).”IRBTheresearchstudywasapprovedbytheUW–MadisonInstitutionalReviewBoard.

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SummaryFindings• Studentsofcolorreportedhigherratesofabstainingandnondrinkingthanwhitestudents.• Studentsinbothgroupsreportedavoidingplaceson-and-offcampusduetoconcernsaboutthealcoholuseofothers(studentsofcolorat42%,whitestudentsat31%).

o BothgroupsnamedfraternityandsororityhousingandLangdonStreetasthetoptwoplacestheyavoid.

• AfricanAmerican/BlackstudentsconsiderleavingUW–Madisonatthreetimestherateofwhitestudents.

o Studentsofcolorcitedtheracialclimateasthenumberonereason,andwhitestudentscitedacademicreasons.

• Studentsofcoloraremorelikelytoreportbeing“financialstruggling”or“havingenoughtogetbybutnotmuchleftover.”• WhiteproblematicdrinkersscoredhigherontheDienerFlourishingScalethanstudentsofcolorinanydrinkercategoryandwhitestudentsinotherdrinkercategories.• Alcoholhasgreaterimpactsontheoverallhealthandwellbeingofwhitestudentsthanonstudentsofcolor(self-report).• Approximately62%ofstudentsofcolorexperiencemicroaggressionsatUW–Madison,consistentwith2015ColorofDrinkingresults.• Studentsofcolorreportwitnessingmicroaggressionsandinterveninginmicroaggressionsathigherratesthanwhitestudents.• Bothgroupsreporthavingtofindalternativestudyspacesbecauseofthealcoholculture(average46%),andschedulegroupmeetingsaroundalcoholconsumption(average40%).

*Unansweredquestionswereremovedfortheanalysis.

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Variable Overall(1,288) Studentsofcolor(1,017) WhiteStudents(271)

Genderidentity(N,%) Male 434(33.7%) 334(32.8%) 100(36.9%)Female 822(63.8%) 655(64.4%) 167(61.6%)Genderqueer/androgynous/differentidentity

19(1.5%) 16(1.6%) 3(1.1%)

Transsexual/femaletomale/maletofemale

7(0.5%) 7(0.7%) 0(0%)

Prefernottoshare 6(0.5%) 1(0.4%) 5(0.5%)Drinkingrate(N,%) Idon’tdrink 175(13.6) 153(15%) 22(8.1%)Nointhelast30days 216(16.8%) 188(18.5%) 28(10.3%)Yesinthelast30days 897(69.6%) 676(66.5%) 221(81.6%)Citizenship(N,%) Yes 1,278(99.5%) 1,010(99.5%) 268(99.3%)No 7(0.5%) 5(0.5%) 2(0.7%)Race/ethnicity(N,%) White 271(21%) 0(0%) 271(100%)Black 136(10.6%) 136(13.4%) 0(0%)Asian 335(26%) 335(32.9%) 0(0%)MiddleEastern/NorthAfrican 8(0.6%) 8(0.8%) 0(0%)Pacificislander/NativeAmerican

8(0.6%) 8(0.8%) 0(0%)

Different 37(2.9%) 37(3.6%) 0(0%)Biracial 189(14.7%) 189(18.6%) 0(0%)Multiracial 23(1.8%) 23(2.3%) 0(0%)Latino 145(11.3%) 145(14.3%) 0(0%)Academiclevel(N,%) Freshman 307(23.8%) 246(24.2%) 61(22.5%)Sophomore 295(22.9%) 243(23.9%) 52(19.2%)Junior 278(21.6%) 210(20.7%) 68(25.1%)Senior 264(20.5%) 211(20.8%) 53(19.6%)Graduatingsenior 134(10.4%) 99(9.7%) 35(12.9%)Other 10(0.8%) 8(0.8%) 2(0.7%)Currentfinancialsituation(N,%) Financialstruggle 166(12.9%) 147(14.5%) 19(7%)Tightbutdoingfine 683(53%) 548(53.9%) 135(49.8%)Financesnotaproblem 419(31.3%) 306(30.1%) 113(41.7%)Other 20(1.55%) 16(1.6)%) 4(1.5%)

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Variable Overall(1,288) Studentsofcolor(1,017) WhiteStudents(271)

Householdfinancialsituation(N,%)

Comfortable 573(44.5%) 427(42%) 146(43.9%)Well-to-do 198(15.4%) 138(13.6%) 60(22.1%)Enoughtogetby,butnotmuchleftover

439(34.1%) 384(37.8%) 55(20.3%)

Struggle,notenoughtogetby 66(5.1%) 59(5.8%) 7(2.6%)Other? 12(0.9%) 9(0.9%) 3(1.1%)Wheredoyoulive(N,%) OnCampus 557(43.3%) 460(45.2%) 97(35.8%)OffCampus 726(56.4%) 552(54.3%) 174(64.2%)Avoid(N,%) No 635(49.3%) 469(46.1%) 166(61.3%)Unsure 142(11%) 122(12%) 20(7.4%)Yes 511(39.7%) 426(41.9%) 85(31.4%)Impactedbyothersalcohol(N,%) No 529(41.1%) 416(40.9%) 113(41.7%)Unsure 172(13.4%) 130(12.8%) 42(15.5%)Yes 587(45.6%) 471(46.3%) 116(42.8%)Alcoholimpactedyourhealth(N,%) No 885(68.7%) 712(70%) 173(63.8%)Unsure 190(14.8%) 138(13.6%) 52(19.2%)Yes 213(16.5%) 167(16.4%) 46(17%)Belonging(N,%) No 739(57.4%) 586(57.6%) 153(56.5%)Unsure 176(13.7%) 148(14.6%) 28(10.3%)Yes 373(29%) 283(27.8%) 90(33.2%)

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Q:DescribethealcoholcultureatUW–Madison.

Themesandquotes

StudentsofColor WhiteStudents

Thealcoholcultureisprevalent.

“Ithinkthatit’saprettyprevalentpartofcampusculture—I’vemetahandfulofstudentswhohavecitedUW’s‘partyscene’asoneoftheirdecidingfactorswhentheyconsideredattendingtheuniversity.Whetheryouwanttoavoidalcoholornotpeoplewillhaveit,whichisunfortunateforthosewhochoosenottodrink.”

“It'sstrong,everywhere,encouraged,supported,expected,ridiculed,andacceptedallatonce.‘Everyonedoesit,’isasayingthatapplieshere.AlcoholconsumptionisrampantacrossUWbystudentsofallages.Forbetterorforworse,itisacornerstoneofUW.”

ThealcoholcultureishowUW–Madisonstudentssocialize.

“ThealcoholcultureatUW–Madisonisextremelyactive.Drinkingisaformofrecreationtobothtaketheedgeoffofthestressesofbeingincollegeandasawaytosocializeandenjoytimewithfriends.Itisthego-tooptionformostactivities.Socialengagementsareassumedtohavealcohol.”

“Alcoholissomethingthatis‘requiredtohaveagoodtime’intheeyesofmanystudentsatUW–Madison.It'sviewedasessentialatparties,essentialtowinddown,essentialtoanysocialization.”

Thepressuretoparticipateinthedrinkingcultureishigh.

“ThedrinkingcultureatUW–MadisonisalsoveryINYOURFACEandannoying.Everyonepressurespeopletodrink,eveniftheysaytheydon't.Thereisnoescape.Evenifyouarenotadrinker,youareconstantlyhearingyourneighborscomehomedrunkorlisteningtosongsthatpromotedrinking.Iwishitwouldstop.”

“PeopledrinkbasicallyeverydayatUW–Madisonandifyoudon't,thenyouarebasicallyforcedtodrinkatdifferenteventswhengoingout.Myfreshmanyear,IwasforcedtodrinkalcoholasabouttenpeoplestoodaroundmeuntilIdrank(oneofwhichwasforcingthebottleintomymouth).ThispastyearIwentoutandthisguysaystome,‘Iwouldlovetoseeyoutakethisshot’asheandhisfriendsstoodaroundmestaringmedownlikeIwasananimalandbeinganAfricanAmericanwoman,Iamsureyoucanimaginehowthatmademefeel.IendedupnottakingtheshotbutIdidleavethebarandnopersonshouldbeforcedoutofabarjustbecausetheydon'twanttodowhateveryoneelseisdoing.EverytimeIgoout,therehasneverbeenatimewheresomeonedidnotforcemetodrinkortakeashotofsomething.”

ThealcoholcultureishowUW–Madisonstudentssocialize.

“AlcoholisusedcommonlybyUW–Madisonstudents,butinvaryingdegreeswithdifferentsocialcircles.Ihavenoticedthatcertainfriendsdrinkmore,andIammorelikelytodrinkmorewhenaroundthemthanwhenIamwithfriendswhodon'tdrinkasheavily.”

“AlcoholisapermanentandpredominantpartofMadison'sculture.It'swhatalotofpeopledoontheweekendandactivitythatbringspeopletogetherforavarietyofsocialevents.”

TheUW–Madisonalcoholcultureencouragesdrinkingheavily.

“PracticallyeverypersonI’vemetoverthepasttwoyearsdrinksheavilyandencouragesthepeoplearoundthemtodrinkandparty.Ididn’tdrinkbeforecomingtoUWandnowIfeelpressuretodrinkeveryweekend.”

“Peopledrinkveryfrequently,eventhosewhoyouwouldn'thaveexpectedto.Oneofmyfriendsfromhighschoolnowdrinksandpartiesonsomeweekends—hewasatotallyquietkidbefore.It'sterribleontheweekends;IliveinanapartmentandtherearepartiesoneveryfloorfromThursdaynighttosometimesevenSundaynight,startinganywherefromearlyeveningto3or4inthemorning.SeeingdrunkcollegekidsonthestreetsonaSaturdayafternoononfootballgamedaysisnotanuncommonsight.Inshort,itseemslikeeveryonehereisanalcoholic.”

Participationinthealcoholcultureisdependentonwithwhomyousocialize.

“AlcoholisusedcommonlybyUW–Madisonstudents,butinvaryingdegreeswithdifferentsocialcircles.Ihavenoticedthatcertainfriendsdrinkmore,andIammorelikelytodrinkmorewhenaroundthemthanwhenIamwithfriendswhodon’tdrinkasheavily.”

“ThealcoholcultureatUW–Madisoninvolvesalotofbinge-drinkingbothinthehousepartysettingandatlocalcollegebars.Theyoungerundergraduatestudentsdrinkillegalsathouseparties,indorms,orwithfakeI.D.s.I’mnotsureabouttheamountsofstudentsthatpartakeinillegalactivity,butIknowfrommyexperiencemanydo.Over21,manystudentsgoouttodrinkandaverageof2timesaweek,butconsumealcoholmoreoftenthanthat.

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Q:Withinthelast30dayshaveyouusedalcohol?

StudentsofColor WhiteStudents ColorofDrinking(2015)**

Yes* 67.7% 81.9% 71.7%

No* 17.6% 10.3% 14.5%

IDon’tDrink* 14.6% 7.9% 13.8%

Black/AfricanAmericanStudent

Asian/AsianAmerican

MiddleEastern/NorthAfrican

DifferentIdentity

YesandNo* 86.4% 79.4% 50.0% 78.9%

IDon’tDrink* 13.6% 20.6% 50.0% 21.1%

*Denotesthatdatadifferencesbetweenwhitestudentsandstudentsofcolorwerestatisticallysignificant.

**ColorofDrinking(2015)respondentswereallundergraduatestudentsofcolor.

DrinkerCategories

Abstainer:astudentwhoconsumednoalcoholinthepastyear.Nondrinker:astudentwhoconsumednoalcoholinthepasttwoweeks,butmayhaveconsumedinthepastyear.ModerateDrinker:astudentwho,onthedayofhighestalcoholuseinthepasttwoweeks,had1–4drinks(male)or1–3drinks(female).HeavyEpisodicDrinker:onthedayofhighestalcoholuseinthepasttwoweeks,thestudenthad5–9drinks(male)or4–7drinks(female).ProblematicDrinker:onhighestdayofuseinthepasttwoweeks,thestudenthadmorethan10drinks(male)ormorethan8drinks(female).NondrinkerRate:acombinationofstudents(abstainerandnondrinker)whoreportedconsumingnoalcoholinoneyearandinthepasttwoweeks.Low-RiskDrinkingRate:malestudentswhoreportdrinking4orfewerdrinks,femalestudentswhoreportdrinking3orfewer.High-RiskDrinkingRate:studentswhoreportconsuming4ormoreontheirhighestdayofalcoholuseintwoweeks. StudentsofColor WhiteStudents

Abstainer 15.3% 8.4%Nondrinker 18.8% 10.9%ModerateDrinker 27.6% 23.6%HeavyEpisodicDrinker 29.2% 35.6%ProblematicDrinker 9.6% 21.4%NondrinkerRate 34.1% 19.3%Low-RiskDrinker 61.7% 42.9%High-RiskDrinker 38.8% 57.0%

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DienerFlourishingScaleStudentswereaskedhowmuchtheyagreed,onascaleof1–7,withthefollowingstatements:

• Ileadapurposefullife.• Mysocialrelationshipsaresupportive• Iaminterestedinmydailyactivities.• Iactivelycontributetothewellbeingofothers.• Iamcompetentintheactivitiesthatareimportanttome.• Ihaveagoodlife.• Iamoptimisticaboutmyfuture.• Peoplerespectme.

Studentswiththehighestpossiblescore(56)ontheDienerScale:

Students of Color White Students

Abstainer 19.0% 4.5% Nondrinker 27.2% 4.5%

Moderate Drinker 27.8% 15.9%

Heavy Episodic Drinker 15.6% 47.7% Problematic Drinker 10.2% 27.3%

Nondrinker Rate 46.2% 9.0% Low-Risk Drinker 74.0% 24.9% High-Risk Drinker 25.8% 75.0%

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Q:Doyouavoidspecificareason-oroff-campusduetoconcernsaboutalcoholuseofothers?

StudentsofColor WhiteStudents ColorofDrinking(2015)

Yes* 41.6% 31.3% 40.2%

No* 46.2% 61.5% 59.8%

Unsure* 12.2% 7.2% N/A


Asian/AsianAmerican

Latinx,Hispanic,Spanish

Biracial Multiracial DifferentIdentity

YesandUnsure* 66.9% 54.0% 56.6% 52.3% 60.9% 38.4%

No* 33.1% 46.0% 43.5% 47.7% 39.1% 61.6%

OddsRatio 3.26 1.89 2.10 1.77 2.51 2.65

Placesavoidedbygroup


82.7% Fraternity and Sorority housing

66.8% Langdon Street

47.8% House parties

46.7% State Street and bars

41.9% Tailgates 27.1% Lakeshore Path 22.5% Camp Randall 20.5% Southeast Residence Halls 14.8% Regent Street 5.0% Other locations 3.6% Lakeshore Residence Halls

85.6% Fraternity and Sorority housing 73.1% Langdon Street 53.6% State Street and bars 48.5% House parties 38.1% Tailgates 27.8% Southeast Residence Halls 22.6% Lakeshore Path 20.6% Camp Randall 14.4% Regent Street 4.1% Lakeshore Residence Halls 3.1% Other locations

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Q:HaveyouconsideredleavingtheUniversity?


Yes 24.1% 19.9%

Unsure* 4.7% 1.0%

No 71.1% 79.1%


Latinx,Hispanic,Spanish Biracial

YesandUnsure* 43.6% 33.1% 33.1%

No 56.4% 66.9% 66.9%OddsRatio 2.97 1.90 1.91

*Unansweredquestionswereremovedfortheanalysis.

Reasonsforconsideringleaving


54.5% Racial climate

44.5% Mental health reasons

39.5% Academic reasons

25.4% Financial reasons 23.4% Interpersonal reasons 20.4% Alcohol climate 15.7% Family issues 14.0% Temporary leave 9.3% Other reasons 2.7% Medical reasons 1.7% Disciplinary reasons

39.7% Academic reasons

37.9% Mental Health reasons

32.7% Interpersonal relationships

29.3% Alcohol climate

24.1% Other reasons 18.9% Financial reasons 6.9% Racial climate 6.9% Temporary leave 5.2% Family issues 3.4% Medical reasons 1.7% Disciplinary reasons

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Q:Hasalcoholuseimpactedyourhealth(physical,mental,overallwell-being)inthetimeyouhaveattendedUW–Madison?


Yes* 13.7% 19.1%

No 70.0% 64.4%

Unsure* 16.4% 16.6%

Topthemesandselectedquotesforimpactonhealth


Alcoholuseimpactedmymentalhealth.

“IwasdiagnosedwithdepressionbeforeIcametocampusandasaresultIusedalcoholtodealwithit.ItprogressivelygotworseasIstartedtodrinkmore.ItwastothepointIwascontemplatingsuicideagain,thedrinkingculturehereisn’tgoodforapersonwhodoesn’tknowhowtodealwithdepressionandislookingforanoutletsuchasmyself.”

“Ioftenusealcoholasawaytoforgetaboutmyproblems,whichjustmakesitthatmuchhardertofacemyproblemswhenIsoberup.SoIfeellikemymentalhealthhasbeenaffectedbecauseIdefermyproblems,whichmakesmesadderinthelongrun.”

Alcoholusecausedmetobeconcernedformysafety.

“IT’SSADTOSEEMYPEERSKILLINGTHEMSELVESANDMAKESMEVERYANXIOUSTOBEAROUNDORINTERACTWITHMUCHOFTHESTUDENTBODY.CONSTANTPARANOIATHATIWILLBERAPEDORSEXUALLYASSULTED.IWOULDLIKETOHEALTHILYCONSUMEBUTAMAFRAIDSOMEONEWILLTAKEADVANTAGEOFME.VOMITMAKESMESADANDINDUCESANXIETY.”

Alcoholuseimpactedmysociallife.

“Drinkingbeerwithnewfriendsiskindoflikehavingcoffeewithnewfriends.It’sasocializingevent.It’sawaytomakefriendsandbewitholdfriends.”

Alcoholuseimpactedmephysically.

“It’snegativelyimpactedmyhealth;hasmademestrugglewithmeweight.Ialsofeelsopressuredtodrinkheavilywhichaffectsmysocialcircles.”

Alcoholuseimpactedmephysically.

“Alcoholsometimesmakesyoufeelsluggishthenextdayandunabletofunction,itcanalsomakemesay/dothingsImayregretinthemorning.”

“Tornmeniscusandbrokenfibuladuetodrinking-relatedinjuries.”

“Igainedweightduetomydrinking.”

“IknowIdon'tgetovercoldsasquicklyifIdrinkfrequently.”

Alcoholuseimpactedmysociallife.

“Ifeelveryanxiousinsituationswhentherearedrunkpeople.Forexample,Ileavepartiesearlybeforepeoplestartgettingdrunk,andIwaspressuredtodrinkatafieldtripIwenton.”

Alcoholuseimpactedmymentalhealth.“Ifeltencouragedtodrinkforstressreliefinsteadofseekinghelpformentalhealth,orforpursuinghealthstress-relievingactivities.”

“IthasleadmetopartakeinthingsIwouldn'thavesober.ThenwhenIamsoberIfeelregretandself-consciousaboutmydecisionsImadewhiledrunk.”

Alcoholusehasimpactedmyacademics.

“1styeardidnotknowlimitsandgotsicktwiceduetooverconsumptionofalcohol,whichinturntookawayfromstudying.”

“Majordisruptiontostudyandsleephabits.”

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Q:HasyourpersonalalcoholuseorthealcoholuseofothersimpactedyouroverallsenseofbelongingatUW–Madison?


Yes 28.0% 33.0%

No 57.4% 56.5%

Unsure 14.6% 10.5%

Topthemesandselectedquotesforimpactsonsenseofbelonging


Ifyoudon’tdrinkyoudon’tfitinatUW–Madison.

“Ifyoudon'tdrinkthenyou’realmostexcludedfrommostoftheuniversityculture,sincethere'ssomuchdrinkinginvolved,andpeopleusepartiestobondandsocialize.”

“AlotofpeopleassociatedrinkingculturewithbeingaUW–Madisonstudent,andsinceIdonotdrinkoncampus,IdoubtedifIreallybelongedhereduringmyfirstyear”

“TheprivilegedculturearounddrinkingandtheideathatitisthenormalthingtodoandhowpeoplehavefunincollegemakesmefeellikeIamnotexperiencingcollegethewayIamsupposedtoandthatIdon'trelatetomypeers?”

Alcoholusebyothersmakesmefeelisolated.

“ItendtofeelisolatedifIhaveabackpackonandamgoingtostudywhiledrinkpeoplearehootingandholleringasIwalkby.”

Alcoholuseamplifiesracialissues.

“Ifellthatmytypeofdrinkingisn’tthetypeotherswanttodo.Ipreferdrinkingaglassofwine/beerwhilesittingathomedoingdailyhomethings.Thetailgateculturecanbefun,andIloveitsometimes,butthehugemassesofdrunkwhitepeopleallaroundmealwaysmakemefeelveryhyperaware.Oncetherewereonlyafewpeopleofcoloratatailgate,andsomehowweallendeduphelpinganotheroutwhenracialtensionsarosewithwhitetailgategoers.WhenIwalkaroundStateStoranywherenearbars/LangdonIamalwaysawareofwhoisaroundmeandifIamalone.ItendtofeelisolatedifIhaveabackpackonandamgoingtostudywhiledrinkpeoplearehootingandholleringasIwalkby.”

Alcoholhelpsyoufitinandbelong.

“It’spartoftheculturetodrink.Youfitinifyoudrink”

Ifyoudon’tdrink,youdon’tbelong.

“Ifeellikeyou'remostdefinitelylookeddownupon/consideredan‘outsider’ifyoudonotpartakeindrinkingatUW.”

“Ireallydon’tdrinkmuch,andespeciallybeforeIturned21(becauseIchosenottounderagedrink),IfeltlikeIdidn’tbelongatUWbecauseIwoulddeclinegoingtopartiesordrinkingtogether.Ifeltlikeanoutsider.”

Alcoholhelpsyoumeetnewpeople.

“SoIthinkdrinkingorjust‘goingout’ingeneralhasbeenapositivethingbecauseIhavegottentoknowmorepeoplethatIdon'ttypicallychatwithduringtheweek.”

DrinkingalcoholhelpsmefeellikeIbelongatUW–Madison.

“IthinkthatenjoyinggettingdrunkhelpsmefeellikeIbelonghere.”

“participatinginthealcoholcultureherebringsafeelingofbelonging”

Alcoholhelpsyoubondwithpeoplesocially.

“Goingoutisawaytoseeallofyourfriendsinafunenvironment.AlotofmyfriendsgotothesamebarssoI'mguaranteedtoseefriendsoutonmostweekends”

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Q:Haveyoubeenimpactedbyothers’alcoholuseduringyourtimeatUW–Madison?


Yes 46.4% 43.0%

No 40.6% 41.9%

Unsure 13.0% 15.2%

Students of Color White Students

71.2% Taking care of an intoxicated person 65.5% Noise issues 53.7% Increased trash such as bottles and cans on property 52.9% Vomit of others 47.4% Disruption to study 45.8% Pressure to drink even after declining

27.5% Disruption in other ways

25.7% Racial harassment

23.3% Sexual harassment

23.1% Accepted into new or different social circles

18.6% Harassment based on appearance

16.1% Vandalism/property damage

14.5% Verbal threats

13.7% Harassment based on gender/gender identity

13.3% Harassment about political climate/assumed political affiliation.

11.7% Harassment about where you’re from

10.9% Items thrown at you

10.7% Personal monetary consequences

9.6% Physical threats

9.6% Event being cancelled because of disruptive behavior linked to drinking.

4.8% Harassment based on your speech or accent

3.9% Harassment based on your religion or assumed religion

3.6% Harassment based on sexual orientation

2.9% Other reasons

68.3% Taking Care of an intoxicated person 68.3% Noise issues 62.1% Vomit of others 60.2% Increased trash such as bottles and cans on property 46.6% Disruption to study 44.7% Pressure to drink even after declining 26.1% Sexual harassment

25.5% Disruption in other ways

23.6% Calling for help for an intoxicated person

23.0% Vandalism/property damage

19.9% Accepted into new or different social circles

19.3% Harassment based on gender/gender identity.

17.4% Harassment based on your appearance

11.8% Personal monetary consequences

11.8% Items thrown at you

9.3% Harassment about political climate/assumed political affiliation

9.3% Verbal threats

8.7% Event being cancelled because of disruptive behavior linked to drinking.

6.8% Physical threats

5.0% Other reasons

4.4% Fundraising opportunities

3.1% Harassment based on sexual orientation

2.5% Racial harassment

1.9% Harassment about where you’re from

0.6% Harassment based on religion/assumed religion

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Q:HaveyouexperiencedanymicroaggressionsatUW–Madison?

StudentsofColor ColorofDrinking(2015)

Yes 61.7% 62.0%

No 38.3% 38.0%


Asian/AsianAmerican

Latinx,Hispanic,Spanish

MiddleEastern/NorthAfrican

Biracial Multiracial DifferentIdentity

Yes 79.1% 55.3% 63.5% 62.5% 52.3% 60.9% 38.4%

No 20.9% 44.7% 36.5% 37.5% 47.7% 39.1% 61.6%

Q: Detailyourexperienceswithmicroaggressionsatthisuniversityintheboxbelow.Examplescaninclude,butarenotlimitedto:alcohol-relatedexperiences,classroominteractions,on/offcampusliving,etc.

Selectedquotesandthemes:

Harassmentbasedonstudent’srace,ethnicity,orassumedraceandethnicity

“Studentswhoasktotouchmyhair,studentswhotouch/pullmyhairwithoutasking,probingquestionsabouthowmyhairworksandifit’sreal,constantcommentsateverysmallchangeinmyhair,‘yourhairisn’tcool/prettyanymore’afterremovingweave,casualuseofracialslursfromfriendsandacquaintances,‘you’reveryarticulate,’‘you’reprettycool!’incomparisontootherblackpeople,‘youallaresoamazing’referringtogroupsofblackwomeninstem,multiplepeoplereferringtomebythenameoftheotherblackwomaninmydorm(wholooksnothinglikeme),‘itwastoughforblackwomen,butitwashardforALLWOMENbackthen,’andmoreI’msurearen'tcomingtomind.”

Classroominteractions

“Professorsmostly;onehascommentedonhowarticulateIam.Anotherprofessoraccusedmeofplagiarism(whenIdidn’t)becauseshedidn'tthinkIhadthecapabilitiestowritewell.”

“Isometimesfindinmyclassroomsthatpeopleoftenchosetoignoremeorturntoadifferentpersonwhengiventimetodiscusscertaintopics.Ihavetogooutofmywaytotalktoothers,buteventhenIcansensesomeindividualsdonotfeelcomfortabletalkingtome.”

Stereotypesaboutraceethnicityorassumedraceandethnicity

“AlwaysaskedaboutwhereI’mfrom,getremarksandthreatsmadeatmebecauseofbeingMexican,hadpeoplemakefunofmerightinfrontofmebecauseI’mMexican,beenaskedifI’manillegalimmigrantorifanyoneinmyfamilyis,havebeentoldthatI’mgoingtobedeported.”

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Alcohol-relatedmicroaggressions

“IhavebeenfrequentlyconfusedwithothersouthAsianstudentswhodonotlooklikemebyintoxicatedpeople.Onetimeaverydrunkwhiteguy(collegestudent)toldmeherulesSaudiArabia(whereIamnotfrom)andusedthe‘Nword.’I’veheardlotsofwhitestudentsusethe‘Nword.’I’vefrequentlyheardpeoplecomplainabouttheirTA’saccents.I’vebeenharassedbypresumablestraightwhitemenbecauseIamqueer.”

“Touchingmyhair,describinghowIsmell(coconutoilsmell=Pinacoladasapparentlytodrunkpeople),makingremarksaboutwhoIamwithbasedontheirrace,judgingmyopinionsonanissueduetomyrace,listgoesontobehonest.”

Harassmentaroundlanguageorassumedlanguagespoken

“‘WhatkindofAsianareyou,’‘doyouspeakEnglish,’classroominteractions(peopleaskingmetorepresentmyidentity,microaggressionsbyinstructors,racistreadings),randommicroaggressionsinpublic(peoplesaying‘chink’orassumingIdon’tspeakEnglish)”

Q:HaveyouwitnessedamicroaggressionduringyourtimeatUW–Madison?HaveyouintervenedinasituationwhereyouwitnessedamicroaggressionatUW–Madison?


Witnessed Intervened Witnessed Intervened

YesandUnsure* 84.1% 50.0% 60.1% 45.0%

No 15.9% 50.0% 39.9% 55.0%

Black/AfricanAmericanStudent Asian/AsianAmerican Latinx,Hispanic,Spanish

Witnessed Intervened Witnessed Intervened Witnessed Intervened

YesandUnsure* 91.2% 61.87% 79.1% 43.0% 86.2% 49.0%

No 8.8% 38.13% 20.9% 57.0% 13.8% 51.0%

17

Q:Haveyouexperiencedthefollowing?


Ihavetofindalternativestudyspacesbecauseofthealcoholculture.

46.6% 43.7%

Whenassignedgroupwork,groupmeetingsarescheduledaroundalcoholconsumption.

37.4% 41.8%

MyprofessorsorTAsdiscussalcoholintheclassroom.* 49.3% 57.0%

Q:Inthepastyear,becauseofyouralcoholuse,haveyouexperiencedthefollowing?


Ihavebeentoohungovertoattendclass.* 17.9% 29.1%

Ichosetodrinkinsteadofstudy.* 39.2% 47.9%

IreceivedapoorfinalgradebecauseIchosetodrinkinsteadofstudy.

12.4% 13.0%

Imissedaclassbecauseofalcoholuse. 16.1% 19.5%

Iperformedpoorlyonanassignmentbecauseofalcoholuse.*

15.7% 25.3%

Q:Howwouldyoucharacterizeyourand/oryourfamily’sfinancialstatusbeforecomingtocollege?


Struggle,notenoughtogetby* 5.7% 2.6%

Enoughtogetby,butnotmuchleftover*

37.8% 20.6%

Comfortable 42.1% 53.7%

Welltodo 13.5% 22.1%

Other 0.9% 1.1%

18

ColorofDrinkingSurveyComments

Colorkey:red=whitestudents,black=studentsofcolor

Q:DescribethealcoholcultureatUW–Madison

“Feltthealcoholcultureforfreshmaniswhatgetpeopletofeelisolated,first-yearsaretoldaboutthis‘amazingWisconsinexperience’thatwillhaveyoudrunkonFridaynights,andSaturdaymornings(forfootball),butthisperceivedideaofwhatitmeanstobeabadgerisoffandveryunhealthy.”“ThereisahugealcoholcultureinUW–Madison.Itissuchanormtogooutapartyanddrink;youstarttobecomenumbtotheideaofnotgoingouteveryweekend.Ididn'trealizehowmuchaccesswehavetoalcoholandopportunitiestodrinkuntilItalkedtomytwinsisterwhotoldmethatshecouldcountonherhandtheamountoftimesshedrankherfirstyearofcollege.”“PeopledrinkbasicallyeverydayatUW–Madisonandifyoudon't,thenyouarebasicallyforcedtodrinkatdifferenteventswhengoingout.Myfreshmanyear,IwasforcedtodrinkalcoholasabouttenpeoplestoodaroundmeuntilIdrank(oneofwhichwasforcingthebottleintomymouth).ThispastyearIwentoutandthisguysaystome,‘Iwouldlovetoseeyoutakethisshot’asheandhisfriendsstoodaroundmestaringmedownlikeIwasananimalandbeinganAfricanAmericanwoman,Iamsureyoucanimaginehowthatmademefeel.IendedupnottakingtheshotbutIdidleavethebarandnopersonshouldbeforcedoutofabarjustbecausetheydon'twanttodowhateveryoneelseisdoing.EverytimeIgoout,therehasneverbeenatimewheresomeonedidnotforcemetodrinkortakeashotofsomething.”“Obviously,wealreadyknowthatthereisawell-establisheddrinkingculturehereatUW–Madison.Itcanbeeasytobesuckedintoitinaneffortto‘fitin’butyoucertainlydon'thavetodoittostillhavefriends.Iwouldsaymostpeoplehereoncampuspartakeintheoccasionaldrinkortwoasawaytorelaxandhavefunwithfriends.”“It’stoxicliterally,andasapersonofcolorit’sfrightening.Whitepeopleoncampuswillcallyoudisgustingnamesanduseraciallychargedlanguagewhenundertheinfluence.”“LitAF(AsF**k)”“Oftentimesthepeoplethataretargetedbyviolentorangrydrunkstudentsarestudentsofcolororthoseinminoritygroups.”“AlcoholisalargepartoftheculturehereinMadison.Onewhodoesnotdrinkmayfeelleftout.”“Thealcoholcultureisverywhitedriven.Peopleofcolordonotfeelsafeonthiscampuswhenalcoholisinvolvedbecausepeople’struethoughtsaboutpeopleofcolorcomeout.Ihavehadmanyfriendsthathavebeenharassedbydrunkwhitemales.Theyhavebeencalledthe‘Nword’orhavebeentoldtheydon’tbelongonthiscampus.Asastudentofcolor,Inolongerattendpartiesduetotheconstantfeelingofbeingharassed.However,itissomethingthatisimpossibletoescapeonthiscampus.”“AttheUWalcoholisobviouslyabigpartoftheculture,howeverIfeellikewithitbeingsuchabigpart,studentsherearesmarteraboutitandwhentheydrinkitishealthierthanstudentsfromotherschools.Forexample,whenfriendsvisitfromotherschoolswheredrinkingandpartiesarelesscommon,theydrinkatonandputthemselvesindangeroussituationsbecausetheythinkthattheymustmakethemostoftheirweekendhere.Whereasstudentsherehavemoreaccessibilitytoitandsomakebetterdecisionswhenexposedtoit.”“P.S...policeofficersandadultsalsoreactVERYdifferentlytodrunkstudentsdependingontheirdemographics.Fixthat.”“Therearemanysubsets,butthemostpublicizedanddangerousisheavydrinkingatfrats,sororities,andsomeapartments.Underageandofagepeoplewillgetdrunkbeforegoingouttoeitherbarsorpartieswheretheydrinkmore.Theexpectationatthisschoolisthatyoudrink.Theuniversitydoesaterriblejobathandlingthis.Theiralcoholawarenessmaterialisoutdatedandmis-targeted.Theirpunishmentpoliciesandrestrictionsleadtomoredangerousconsumptionandmorestudentsgettinghurt.”

19

“ItrytoavoidalcoholwhenIlivedinSelleryHallmyfreshmanyearandinanapartmenttwoblocksawayfromStateStreetmysophomoreyear.Butit'severywhere.However,ItrytolimitmyinteractionsbytryingtoavoidingStateStreetandLangdon,especiallysincethoseplacestendtobeprettywhite.Ihaveattendedafewpartiesasanunderclassman.Intheseparties,it'smainlypeopleofcolor.Alcoholcultureisprominentinthosespacesaswell.BecauseIdidn'tliketheculture,Irarelyattendthosepartiesnow.”“IthinkthatthereisastrongPartyculturehere.Whenpeoplearedrinking,there’salwaysthatencouragementtoexcessivelydrink.I’veencounteredtoomanypeoplethatmakeblackingoutseemlikeanormalacceptablerepeatedbehavioranditmakesmeconcernedabouthowmanyotherstudentsoncampusparticipateintheculturelikethis.”“Toxic,unmediated,unsafeforboththeyoungstudentswhoentertheschoolandarethrownintoacultureofoverdrinking,andforthestudentsofcolorwhosesafetyandpositiononcampusbecomecollateraltoit.Itmakesmemistrustmypeersintheclassroomandresenttheadministrationforturningablindeye,especiallyinthewakeofrisingsexualassaultandraciallybasedaggressions.”“Mostundergraduatesbingedrinkatminimumeveryotherweek.Theyoftencometoclasshungover.Thisisviewedasnormalandjustwhatyoudoduringcollegeasanundergrad.”“Obscene.Whiletherearespacesforthosewhoaren'tinterestedindrinkingtodoastheywish,theimpactandspilloverofhorrificallydrunk,entitled,andpervasivelywhitestudentshasfollowedmesincemyfirstdayatthisuniversity.Itisencouragedbystudentswithinherentsocietalpower,ignoredbythosewiththeauthoritytoinfluenceit,andsystemicoppressionwithinoursocietyandthisuniversityitselfsilencesthosewhowouldliketochangeit.Mostofall,itisavehiclebywhichimmatureandinsecurewhitemalesareabletosilenceandtakeadvantageofwomenandencourageswomentoperceivethisabuseasastatussymbolinthenameofstatepride.”“Itisverynormative.Iwouldsayitisdescribedas‘normal’todrinkandtodrinkalot.Alotofwhatmakesthealcoholculturehereistheideathatdrinkingalottogetreallydrunkandpartyis‘cool.’Peopletakeprideinbeingnamedthe#1PartySchoolinthecountry.Alcoholisassociatedwiththesocialsceneaswell.Iwouldn'tsayitisbadthough,itisjusttheculture,especiallybeinginWisconsinwherealcoholissuchabigpartoflife.”“There'salsoacertainamountofgeneralprivilegedbehaviorthataccompaniesthealcoholculture.Studentswillbingedrinkanddrunkenlylackregardforotherpeople/property/etc.”“Forcontext,Iamafifth-yearseniorCaucasianmalewritingthis.Ialsodooccasionallyenjoyanalcoholicdrink.Whiletryingtoavoidhyperbole,IreallydobelievethatalcoholisafocalpointatUW–Madison.Ibelievethisforacouplereasons.First,asastudentcomestoUW–Madison,itreallyislargelyassumedbymostfriendsandfamilyofthatstudent(andtheirpeersatUW)thattheywillengageindrinkingupontheirarrival.IencounteredthisbeforeIcametoUW–Madison,asparentswouldgivemeaparticular‘look’whenItoldthemwhichschoolIwasheadedto.Withasmileandtheirtonguefirmlyintheircheek,theywouldalwayssay‘ohboy,you'regoingtohavefunthere!’—WhereIknewwhattheyweregettingat.Second,IseealcoholbeingafocalpointinthewaythatalumnioftentimesactwhenreturningtoUW–Madison'scampusforevents.Especiallywhenitcomestofootballgamedays,itseemslikeitisparentsorother,olderalumnithatgetthemostoutofhandduringtailgatingorwhileoutatthebarsfollowingagame.Ihaveencounteredmoredrunken,stumblingdadsandmomsthanIcancountonfootballSaturdays,whiletheiryoungerUWstudentcounterpartsgowalkingby.Itseemslikethelegendandloreof‘thegoodolddays’thatolderalumnihadcausethemtodrinkmuchmorethantheycanhandleupontheirreturntocampus.Allinall,whileIamnotbyanymeansdirectlyopposedtoalcohol,itseemsthatalcoholisquitecelebratedonUW–Madison'scampus,tothepointofpromotingunhealthyhabitsinyoungpeoplethattheywillcarryintotheirlateradultlives.“Andwhenmixedwiththesocialclimateofthecampus,it'salmostunbearable.Alcoholandracismdon'tmix.”

20

Q:HasyourpersonalalcoholuseorthealcoholuseofothersimpactedyouroverallsenseofbelongingatUW–Madison?

“Itseemsthatdrinkingispartofthe‘Wisconsinexperience,’weevenhaveshirtssoldbytheUniversitybookstorethatsayso.BecauseIdon'tdrinkduetoreligiousreasons,IfeellikeIdonotbelonginthisculture.”“DrinkingalcoholisanactivityIpartakeinwithmyfriends,howeverIwouldstillbefriendswiththemifIdidn'tdrinktoo.Itisjustanactivitythatwedoother.”“Beforecomingtocollege,Irarelydrankalcohol.IstarteddrinkingalcoholwhenIgottoUW-Madison,mainlybecauseit'swhateveryonewasdoingatsocialevents.WhenIamatsaidevents,IfeelmoreconnectedtoeveryonewhenIamdrinkingalongsidethem.”“Ithinkinapositiveway,alotofpeoplearereallystudiousandbuckleddownduringtheweeksotheyaremoresocialontheweekend.SoIthinkdrinkingorjust‘goingout’ingeneralhasbeenapositivethingbecauseIhavegottentoknowmorepeoplethatIdon'ttypicallychatwithduringtheweek.”“Choosingnottodrinkmakesmefeelisolatedinsocialgatherings.IendupleavingearlybecauseI'mtheonlyonestillsober,whichisnotideal.Conversationwithotherstypicallyrevolvesaroundthelasttimesomeonegotdrunk,gotwasted,orwashungover.Ihavenothingtocontribute.”“Goingoutisawaytoseeallofyourfriendsinafunenvironment.AlotofmyfriendsgotothesamebarssoI'mguaranteedtoseefriendsoutonmostweekends.”“TheprivilegedculturearounddrinkingandtheideathatitisthenormalthingtodoandhowpeoplehavefunincollegemakesmefeellikeIamnotexperiencingcollegethewayIamsupposedtoandthatIdon'trelatetomypeers.”“Ifeellikeanoutcastsometimesbecause,whileIliketogooutanddrink,Iamveryfocusedonschoolandsometimeswouldprefertostayintostudy;alotofpeopledon'tunderstandthat.”“Ipersonallydon'tliketodrinkbecauseIhaveanaddictivepersonality,andItendtoenjoydrinkingbutdonotliketheeffectsthatitcanleavemewith.Thismeansthattheentirecampuscansometimesfeellikeatrapthatistryingtogetmetogivein,andeventuallylosemyself.”“IfeelasthoughIfitinandbelong.”“It’shardtofeelasifyoubelongwhenyoudon’twanttoparticipateintheonethingthatdefinesthisinstitution.”“I’mnotalwaysaboutdrinking,andseethroughitas‘lame’sometimes.Itdisconnectsmefromcertainsituations.”“Asaminority,manyalcoholrelatedeventsareattendedmywhitepeopleinmajority.Itisoftendishearteningtolookaroundandbetheonlypersonofcolor.”“Themainstreampublicizedcultureisapartyculture.Ifyoudonottakepartyouareanoutsider.”“Whenpeopledrink,they’retrueviewscomeout.OnedayIandagroupoffriendsweretoldto‘GobacktoAfrica.’OnedaysomeonetoldmetheywantedtoplaybasketballwithmebecauseI’mblack.Ifeellittlemicroaggressionslikethatconstantlyanditmakesmenotwanttobearoundthewhitecommunityofthiscampusatall.”“LikeIamsodifferentbecauseIdon'tdrinkheavy.”“BecauseIdon’tdrinkthatoften,Iamnotincludedinasmuch.I’malsonotallowedtosomehousesbecauseIamMuslim.”

21

Q:Hasalcoholuseimpactedyourhealth(physical,mental,overallwell-being)inthetimeyouhaveattendedUW–Madison?

“IwasdiagnosedwithdepressionbeforeIcametocampusandasaresultIusedalcoholtodealwithit.ItprogressivelygotworseasIstartedtodrinkmore.ItwastothepointIwascontemplatingsuicideagain,thedrinkingculturehereisn’tgoodforapersonwhodoesn’tknowhowtodealwithdepressionandislookingforanoutletsuchasmyself.”“Ifeltencouragedtodrinkforstressreliefinsteadofseekinghelpformentalhealth,orforpursuinghealthstress-relievingactivities.”“ItcanbeoverwhelmingwhenIamwalkinghomeatnightandtherearelargegroupsofdrunkstudentswalkingpastme.AssomeonewholiveswithGeneralizedAnxietyDisorder,thiscanbeextremelystressful,andIoftenwon'tleavemyhouseongamedaysbecauseIfearsomethingbadhappening.Ihavebeenverballyassaultedandcalledaniggerandbitchbefore,soItrytoavoidthishappeningagainbysimplynotleavingmyhome.”“Ihavegeneralanxietydisorderanddrinkingmakesthatalotworse.”“It’slikeIhavetoputonaperformanceinordertofitin,andthattakesatollonme.”“Tornmeniscusandbrokenfibuladuetodrinking-relatedinjuries.”“Thetemptationtousealcoholasanescapefromdifficultlifesituationsinsteadofprocessingandcopingsoberly.”“Some(minor)weightgaincouldprobablybeattributedtoalcohol.Consumptionhasledtoemotionalepisodes,onrareoccasion.”“Ifeelunsafeingamedaysleavingmyhousetogotothelibraryorstudyspace.DuetothatIendupstayinghomeunabletoconcentrateandeffectivelystudy.”“Alcoholsometimesmakesyoufeelsluggishthenextdayandunabletofunction,itcanalsomakemesay/dothingsImayregretinthemorning.”“Iwassexuallyabused.”“TheareaIlivehaslotsofnoisesoIcan’tsleepaswell.AlsoIhavetoworryaboutifmyroommatecomeshomeafterdrinking.”“Theconnectionbetweenalcoholconsumption,mentalhealth,andsexualhealthallintersectforme.Irealizethatduetomydepression,itisnotagoodideatobingedrink,soIavoidittokeepmyinnerpeace.IknowthatifIamwantingtohavesexwithapartner,Iwillnotconsumealcoholoutofrespectformyselfandmypartnerdue&inordertoobtainconsent.”“IthasleadmetopartakeinthingsIwouldn'thavesober.ThenwhenIamsoberIfeelregretandself-consciousaboutmydecisionsImadewhiledrunk.”“Mymentalhealthandoverallwell-beinghasbeenimpactedasmanyplacesofalcoholconsumptionrarelyintegrateaninclusiveenvironment.”“Ithasnegativelyimpactedmyoverallwell-being.Ithascausedmorementalstressfrombaddecisionmakingduetoconsumptionaswellasinjury.Italsocausesmefinancialstress.”

22

Q:DetailyourexperienceswithmicroaggressionsatthisUniversityintheboxbelow.Examplescaninclude,butarenotlimitedto:alcohol-relatedexperiences,classroominteractions,on/offcampusliving,etc.

“PeoplealwaysthinkI’mstealing.It’shardtobeacceptedwhenitcomestogroupprojectsbecausepeoplethinkyouarelazy.I’vehadsomeWhitepeoplepurposelystareatmetostartfights.”“DuringHalloween,manypeoplewillputonMexicancostumeswhichIfindoffensiveandwhileintoxicatedwillmakelotsofjokesabouttheculture.”“AkidwasdrunkandtoldmyfriendsandIto‘gobacktoAfrica.’Teachershavedismissedorinvalidatedopinionsbecauseracewasbroughtup.Ihavegottendirtylooksjustmovinginspacesasablackperson.Ihavegottendirtylooksforwearingawavecaptogogetfood.Ihavebeeninspaceswherenon-blackpeoplehavesaidthe‘Nword’andtriedtojustifytheiruseforit.Theentirealcoholcultureisrootedintheprivilegetonothavetoworryorevenacknowledgerace,sexualorientation,orgenderwhenmovinginspaces.”“LivinginthedormsIhadmanyincidentsofmicroaggressions.FreshmanyearmyroommatesaidhethoughtthatIwouldselldrugsoutoftheroombecauseIwasblack.Ihavealsoheardthe‘Nword’beingsaidbywhitepeoplemoretimesthanIcancount.TherewasaheaddresspaintedonIngrahamHall.IfounditjustasIcamefromahorribletest.Itreallywasabadstarttomyday.MyfriendsandNativecommunitymembersweremockedatahealingceremony.Somesentanemail,questioningmynativenessafterspeakingabouttheindentatDejope.IhaveoverheardsomanyconversationspeakingofNativesasdead,orasstupid/notworthytoattendtheUW.Theonlyreasontheyarehereisbecauseofscholarships.Alsothatwecomplaintoomuch,eventhoughallweeveraskingforistobeheard.DuetotheNativepopulationbeingsosmall,wegetignoredorworse,forgottenabout.”“IhavebeenfrequentlyconfusedwithothersouthAsianstudentswhodonotlooklikemebyintoxicatedpeople.Onetimeaverydrunkwhiteguy(collegestudent)toldmeherulesSaudiArabia(whereIamnotfrom)andusedthenword.I’veheardlotsofwhitestudentsusethenword.I’vefrequentlyheardpeoplecomplainabouttheirTA’saccents.I’vebeenharassedbypresumablestraightwhitemenbecauseIamqueer.”“Ifeellikepeoplestareatmeasiftherewassomethingonmyface.Peoplehavealsoaskedmewheremyfamilyisfrominasneakywaysuggestingthattheywouldliketoknowwhatmyracialbackgroundis.”“FolksaskingwhereIamfromoraskingifIamaspecificAsianethnicity.BecomingthetokenPOCinaclassroomorsocialspaceandbeingexpectedtobeabletospeakforallPOC.”“AlotpeopleinWisconsinstaresometimesIfeellikejustbecauseIamblack.Theysaythingsrelatedtoourculture(hair,clothes,music)formsofculturalappropriationthatmakemeuncomfortableattimes.Ithinkalotofpeoplesaythings,anddon'tmeanitinameanwaytheyarejustnoculturallyawarebecausetheyneverhadtoexperiencebeingaminority.”“AlwaysaskedaboutwhereI’mfrom,getremarksandthreatsmadeatmebecauseofbeingMexican,hadpeoplemakefunofmerightinfrontofmebecauseI’mMexican,beenaskedifI’manillegalimmigrantorifanyoneinmyfamilyis,havebeentoldthatI’mgoingtobedeported.”“Ingroupsettings,peopleavoidtalkingtoyou,makingeyecontact,orblatantlyignoreyouwhentalkingaboutanactivityorassignmentrelatedtoclass.Instructorsthathelpotherstudentsmorethantheyhelpyou.Givelongermoreindepthevaluationstostudentstheyfavor.Passoveryouwhenhavingopenclassdiscussions.”“Beinginterrogatedaboutmyethnicityandthatmyviewsareskewedbecauseofmyculture”

23

“‘Whereareyoufrom?’‘I’mfromNYC.’‘No,butwhereareyoureallyfrom’Thisgetsreallyannoying.Also,beinginastudyroomwithmultiplefriendsandhavingadrunk‘friend’onthefloorcomeinandyellthe‘Nword’.Beinginaclassroomandhavingpeoplemakeitsoundlikemygradeisnormalforpeoplelikeme.‘Thereshouldbemorechurchesthanmosques.’etc.”“Evenfrommyclosestfriendsthereisoftenjokesorcommentsmadeaboutmyreligionandrace.MostoffallIfindthatpeoplerefertomeas‘oneofthegoodones’sinceIwasbornintheUS.Moreover,InoticethatpeoplealsohavebeenmistakenforLatinoonmultipleoccasionsandhadpeoplesaysomeracialepithetsandderogatorycommentspeoplehaveverylittlehesitationwhenitcomestoprejudicesagainstAsiansorotherminoritygroupsthanHispanicorAfrican-American/African.Iamnottryingtominimizetheplightofthosegroups,butIthinkinourcurrentpoliticalclimatepeopledon'tfeeltheneedtocensortheirprejudice.”“I'vebeentoldtoremovemyturbanatsportingevents(byotherattendees).Athousepartiesandbarspeoplewilloftentouchmyturbanwithoutpermission.I'vebeencalledaterrorist,towelhead,Arab,andotherslursbefore.”“BeingIndian,I'moftenassociatedwiththeactionsofotherIndians.Thisdoesn'thappentowhitefolksastheyarejudgedasindividualsandnotasarace.Forinstance,whenAjitPairepealednetneutrality,IfoundracistcommentsdirectedatmeforhimbeingIndian.Commentslike,‘shouldn'tyoubeashamedofthisdude?’andcommentsonthisline.”“Peopleaskingme‘whereareyouREALLYfrom’;peopletellingmeIlookexotic,havealittleflavor,etc.PeoplesayingI'mnotreallyLatina.PeopletreatingmelikeI'mdumbinphysicsclass.Thelistgoesonandon!”“Inseveralofmyengineeringclasses,otherstudentswouldgreetmebyspeakingAfricanAmericanVernacularEnglishorwithMadea(TylerPerryMadea)references.IgavethemnoindicationwhatsoeverthatishowIwantedtobegreetedotherpersonshavetouchedmyhairwithoutmypermission.”“Beingtoldthatit'snotfairIgetascholarshipforbeingAsianwhilemiddleclasswhitepeoplegetnothing.BeingtoldI'mattractiveunlikeotherAsiangirls.Mywhitefriendcommentingonhowshefoundourotherfriends(whoareblack)moreattractivethanotherblackpeoplebecausetheysoundeducated.”“Mostoftenhappenswhenpeopleareundertheinfluence.Drunkwhitepeoplealwayssaythenwordatpartiesnotdirectlytomebuttotheirfriendsortosingwithsongs.Alsoguysthatapproachmeatpartiesthatarenotthesameracialidentityasmealwaysmentionsomethingaboutmyrace.”“Whiteteachersdon'ttakemeseriouslyevenwhenIunderstandthecontentbetterthanthem.Ihearpeoplecomplainingaboutpoliciesforinclusionandaboutthepresenceofstudentsofcoloroncampusnear/inthecommonareasofmyresidencehall.”“Professorsmostly;onehascommentedonhowarticulateIam.Anotherprofessoraccusedmeofplagiarism(whenIdidn't)becauseshedidn'tthinkIhadthecapabilitiestowritewell.”“InmyCalc.3class,IwastheonlyblackgirlthatwaspartofWES.Weweresplitupintogroupstoworktogether.Mygroupdecidedtostartagroupchatandtheypassedthephonetoeveryonebutme.“Ingroupsettings,peopleavoidtalkingtoyou,makingeyecontact,orblatantlyignoreyouwhentalkingaboutanactivityorassignmentrelatedtoclass.Instructorsthathelpotherstudentsmorethantheyhelpyou.Givelongermoreindepthevaluationstostudentstheyfavor.Passoveryouwhenhavingopenclassdiscussions.”“BeingtoldIhaveonlybeenacceptedtoUWbecauseIamapersonofcolor.IhavehadaclasswheretheTAasksustostandinfrontoftheclassandhastheclassguessourheritage.Peoplewillnotsitnexttomeonabus.PeopleassumeIspeakSpanish.OfteninclassIamaskedtospeakformywholerace.”“Agirlhadputchopsticksundermypillowbecauseshethoughtitwasfunny.”

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