THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC:

How Bullying Affects African American

Creativity

Oct 25, 2014

Philadelphia PA

Leah P. Hollis, Ed.D.

These findings which are based on a survey of 175 colleges and universities reveal 62% of respondents faced workplace bullying which is 58% higher than the general population.

Bullying: bullying means harassing offending,

socially excluding someone or negatively

affecting someone's work tasks…the person

confronted ends up in an inferior position.

(Einarsen, Hoek, Zapf & Cooper 2003)

Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based

on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age

… enduring the offensive conduct becomes

condition of continued employment when the

conduct is severe enough or pervasive enough

to create a work environment that a reasonable

person would consider hostile. (EEOC)

The result for the target is still the same.

An alternative abusive manifestation results in the bully exerting aggression supposedly without the discriminatory motive. Bullying emerges from those with power; when those with power psychologically, emotionally and verbally abuse the target.

Bullying behaviors

• Mobbing/ Cliché behavior

• Disregard for office policies

protocols and/or the law

• Demeans staff contribution and abilities

• Threatens to fire subordinates

Bullying behaviors

• Continually insults staff• Diminishes staff

accomplishments• Excludes others

•Engages in yelling, cursing

• Steals credit

> Silent treatment

> Impersonal interactions

> Aggressive communication

> Excessive criticism

> Continuous micromanagement

>Assigning inappropriate tasks

>Giving impossible deadlines

>Punitive disciplinary actions

>Withholding information

>Discouraging initiatives of employee

The study

In the spring of 2012,

Hollis administered thirty-five-question survey to examine workplace bullying dynamics in higher education at 4-year institutions.

Research Questions

1. What is the extent of

workplace bullying in

higher education administration?

2. What is the cost of

workplace bullying specifically to higher

education administration?

Findings

62% said they were bullied58% higher than general

rate of 37%86.2% of African American women

68% of African American

men

Where

?AA men

82.4% Bullied

in front of

other staff

64.7 % Bullied

in one on one

meetings

58.8% Bullied

in local/depart

meeting

AA women

71.1% Bullied in

one-on-one

meeting

48.9% Bullied in

front of other

staff

28.9%Bullied in

cyberspace/

email

How

they

were

bullie

dAA women

60% Overlooked

(like constructive

discharge)

42% Harsh memos

and commands

40% Job threats

37.8% Insults and

yelling.

AA men

70.6% Faced gossip

64.7% Overlooked

ignored

58.8% Harsh

memos and

commands

47% Verbal teasing

and insults.

Copin

g

AA women

44.2% Isolated Self

44.2% No Relief

30.2% Left

Department

30.2% Reported to

HR

AA men

58.8% Isolated

Self

58.8% More sick

time

35.3% Resigned

or quit

As Patricia Berkly study shows 86% African Americans face

bullying, which is 24%

higher than general population

How does

self isolation

hurt?

Brain in isolation

Biologically, humans

release cortisol, a stress hormone, as a

response to threats of

isolation, suggesting

humans are designed

to be social…Same response as fight

or flight response

Brain also releases glucocorticoids… which is linked to depression, depressed

immune system and

memory loss

Further, higher release

of adrenaline causes

blood platelets to clump…adversely affecting cardiovascular

Chronic unchecked bullying leads to post traumatic stress

Symptoms:

Diminished energyLoss of concentrationAnxietyLack of joyFrustration and

hopelessnessFlash backs with

avoidance remindersHyper arousalGastrointestinal

disordersSleep disorders

How does this affect creativity

Over Stimulated

“The brain can be over stimulated to the

point that emotions lead to irrational and

unreasonable judgments. The brain

no matter how powerful is fragile and

susceptible to constant stress

Relax: Easier said than done given harassment

and discrimination facing people of color

1. Inhibition needs to be

dropped, much like one

is dreaming.

2. Change the mind set

or environment to relax

brain.

Solutions

3. Exercise

physiologically manages

the adrenaline and the

stress response.

4. Activities which take

mind off of stress.

Solutions

So how did all these greats create in the midst of adversity… they let the mind drift, they shut out the stress.

Leah P. Hollis, Ed.D. equity1@patriciaberkly.com