Description
Transitioning to a new environment in the United States is not easy for Afghan immigrant families. This transition is especially challenging for women who come from a war-torn country where they lived under a political dictatorship to the United States, where they continue to face microaggressions against their many identities. Currently, there is great uncertainty socially and politically for Afghan women in Afghanistan and Afghan immigrants living in the United States. The intersectionality of underrepresented and racially minoritized women in the United States has become a critical piece. Therefore, in this qualitative research, I included the marginalization of Afghan communities through the lens of critical race theory and the oppression and intersectionality women of color continue to face while pursuing their academic and career aspirations. Despite experiencing microaggressions and financial barriers, these women strive to complete their postsecondary education. As the researcher, I have unveiled the voices and lived experiences of 19 Afghan and Afghan-American women, including my own heuristic inquiry. The four major themes that surfaced from this study included: (a) duality/biculturalism, (b) intersectionality, (c) resistance/challenges, and (d) family influence. Results from this study are a source for community colleges to understand the obstacles Afghan and Afghan-American women are confronted with to further support their academic journey and transition in the United States.
