Title: Leveraging diversity by exploring intraracial discrimination in the workplace

Authors: Cynthia Sims

Addresses: Department of Workforce Education and Development, College of Education and Human Services, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 475 Clocktower Drive, Pulliam Hall, Room 217d, Carbondale, IL 62901, Illinois, USA

Abstract: This grounded theory study examined the impact of skin tone bias, a form of intraracial discrimination among African-Americans in the workplace. Data revealed the negative personal and workplace effects of the phenomenon. Findings suggest that there is a silencing of issues of race, power and privilege in organisations. A critical human resource development perspective is recommended in order to explore and address the systems of privilege that perpetuate inequities in the workplace.

Keywords: critical HRD; human resource development; workplace power; unearned privilege; intraracial discrimination; racial discrimination; workplace diversity; skin tone bias; African-Americans; race; power; privilege; inequities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2010.033585

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2010 Vol.10 No.3, pp.239 - 253

Published online: 06 Jun 2010 *

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