The Rage of a Professional Class: Racial Battle Fatigue Experienced by Black Educators in Higher Education During the post-George Floyd Era

The murder of George Floyd in 2020 caused the country to do some introspection regarding matters of race and justice. Higher education institutions respondedby issuing statements of support for equity and diversity. Nonetheless, twoyears later, a backlash from conservative states like Florida and Texas occurred as they and others introduced legislation to negate diversity, equity,and inclusion efforts. Therefore, this phenomenological study explored the experiences of Black professionals in higher education who have navigated through a period of racial backlash and anti-Black legislation. Using the conceptual framework of racial battle fatigue (Smith, 2008), the study examined the psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses to the racial battle fatigue experienced by Black educators at predominantly White institutions in higher education in legislatively conservative states post the George Floyd era of racial awakening.