Chapter 2: The Belief and The Practice: Self-Affirming and Resistance-Based Religion and Spirituality Among Black Students

The present qualitative study considers how spirituality and religion informs the lives of African American and U.S.-born and/or raised African who are all attending a predominately White institution (PWI) in the western region of the United States. The study explores how students define and conceptualize their spiritual and religious identities, considering ways the campus environment supports and/or challenges students’ religious and spiritual identity development. Findings inform on the similar and dissimilar conceptualizations students have about religious and spiritual identities, revealing an intersection with one’s racial or ethnic identity. Findings also provide important insights on students’ experiences attending a PWI, with particular focus on challenges they face and reasons why students opt to engage in social justice-oriented work in ways derived from their religious and spiritual identities.