Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

African Americans, as minority ethnic group, began their existence in the Americas as non-citizens. Whether through war or protest, they have gained statutory citizenship rights, but many argue that their citizenship ends there. The concept of “liminal citizenship,” more commonly used to describe the status of recent immigrants, will also be applied to members of the African American community. In this context, this paper explores parallels between immigrant groups and African Americans in terms of ethnic identity and educational outcomes. Through this framework of liminal citizenship, this paper also explores the historical exclusion of African Americans from the Western academic cannons and African Americans’ liminal status in the context of American higher education.