Examining the Influence of Intersectionality on Biracial Identity Formation
Conference Strand
Identity Formation
Abstract
Biracial individuals historically have struggled with identity development and formation (Saleem, 2023). The influence of social class, gender, religious, and sexual orientation have contributed to their continued feelings of inferiority. This education session will address the challenges, limitations, and influence of intersectionality on this process in addition to a biracial identity framework with implications for counselors, educators, and researchers.
Evidence
Crenshaw, K. W. (2017). On intersectionality: Essential writings. The New Press.
Ferguson, R. (2016). Mixed Feelings: Identity Development of Biracial People. Great Plains Sociologist, 26(1), 3.
Garcia, D., Johnson, C., & Walker, Q. D. (2022). The Intersection between Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Formation: Implications for Counseling Multiracial Clients.
Gosnell, E. (2020). Factors Influencing Biracial Identity Development (Doctoral dissertation, Alliant International University).
Poston, W. C. (1990). The Biracial Identity Development Model: A needed addition. Journal of Counseling & Development, 69(2), 152–155. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1990.tb01477.x
Saleem, A. (2023). A systematic review of emerging adults and biracial identity formation (Order No. 30633546). Available from ProQuest One Academic. (2869467004). Retrieved from http://ncat.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/systematic-review-emerging-adults-biracial/docview/2869467004/se-2
Format
Individual Presentations
Biographical Sketch
Tyreeka Williams, Ph.D., Licensed K-12 School Counselor
Dr. Tyreeka Williams joined the Montreat College faculty as Assistant Professor in 2023 after two years of teaching at Concordia University Irvine in Southern California. With a wide range of experience in higher education, private practice, addiction settings, and the K-12 school district, she is passionate about pouring into the future generation of counselors, helping students identify and expound upon their God-given calling into the counseling profession.
Dr. Williams earned a B.S. in psychology from Chowan University, an M.A. in human services counseling from Liberty University, and an M.A. in school counseling from Regent University. She also completed her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision at North Carolina A&T State University, where she was awarded the Inaugural College of Education Equity, Access, and Advocacy Award. Her research interests include the supervision of novice school counselors and trauma-informed care for refugees and immigrants. A skilled communicator, Dr. Williams has been recognized as a Pete Warren Graduate Student Fellow by the Virginia Counselors Association and an Emerging Leader by the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Location
Room 159
Start Date
3-7-2024 10:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Williams, Tyreeka and Williams, Tyreeka, "Examining the Influence of Intersectionality on Biracial Identity Formation" (2024). National Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change. 10.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ccec/2024/2024/10
Examining the Influence of Intersectionality on Biracial Identity Formation
Room 159
Biracial individuals historically have struggled with identity development and formation (Saleem, 2023). The influence of social class, gender, religious, and sexual orientation have contributed to their continued feelings of inferiority. This education session will address the challenges, limitations, and influence of intersectionality on this process in addition to a biracial identity framework with implications for counselors, educators, and researchers.
Description
Biracial individuals are known to operate in the dichotomy of two distinct identities in opposition to one another (Ferguson, 2016). From a racial perspective, biracial individuals are typically grouped and categorized based on social and cultural norms of one race or the other depending on their outward appearance. Intersectionality examines the holistic person and how multiple identities influence their overall identity to include socioeconomic status, gender, spirituality, and more (Crenshaw, 2017). Biracial people may benefit from one racial background in certain identities while simultaneously suffering from another. To live in this polarization often leads to identity confusion, low self-esteem, and a lack of sense of belonging (Garcia et al., 2022).
Poston (1990) developed and created one of the most widely used biracial identity development models today. Poston believed that biracial individuals navigate through a series of phases from young childhood to emerging adulthood recognizing the disparities and differences between their two racial identities. While some individuals excel in this process, a large percentage of biracial individuals struggle with their identity formation for the duration of their lives.
Saleem (2023) conducted a study and interviewed 15 biracial participants in which the findings revealed how biracial individuals navigate through their identity formation. This identity formation session will provide a framework for educators and counselors on how to work with biracial students and clients who are struggling with their identity development. The framework will address the following: racial socialization, racial identification, systemic influence, psychological stress, marginalization and discrimination, and lastly physical appearance. The education session will a) Discuss how the intersection of multiple identities outside of race influence biracial individuals, b) Provide a biracial framework on how to help students and clients navigate in their own identity development process, and c) Analyze the social, emotional, cultural, and financial challenges faced by biracial individuals.