Chapter 11: “Why do i Need to Learn to ‘Cope?’”: How Racial Stress Becomes a Woman-of-Color Problem Rather Than an Institutional One

The purpose of this chapter is to understand how racial stress affects the health and well-being of faculty of color generally, and women specifically. To accomplish this, the author provides a broad overview of the literature on racism, stress, and health. This is preceded by testimonios from three pretenure female faculty of color who give context to the issue. In reciprocity, the author also integrates her own testimonios of experiences with racial stress. Finally, the chapter concludes with recommendations for how racial stress must no longer be a woman of color problem and instead an institutional responsibility.