Blog Archives

Respeck My Research

9/28/2016

As an academic and person who genuinely cares about the research she does and the people it effects, there is nothing more infuriating than when a professor attempts to invalidate my research because of his or her ignorance and/or discomfort with the issues I choose to discuss.
There have been numerous incidents that I’ve sat in classrooms and stated my research interests (which center around all things Black kids and equity in k-12 education) and have then either watched the professor's face deflate or listened to them try to explain why that interest would be particularly challenging to pursue. -_-

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coping with trauma in academic spaces...a call for advice

9/24/2016

3 Comments

I’m sure that by now it is news to none of us that another unarmed Black man and a protester were killed by police officers this week. If you are anything like me, you were the farthest thing from numb when you heard the news. This week my heart bled. There were several moments where I turned to loved ones with tears in my eyes and declared, “I just can’t anymore.” But the truth is I can. I must - or at least that’s what I’ve been told.

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Get Out Of YouR Own Way

9/21/2016

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I recently realized that I am my biggest opponent and that I have a severe case of imposter syndrome. I find it to be quite paralyzing. For those who may not know, imposter syndrome (my interpretation of it) is when you feel like a fraud that will be exposed at any moment even though you’re constantly slaying the game.

Far too often I have stopped myself from pursuing professional ventures because I didn’t feel like I was good enough.

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Don't let the numbers fool you

9/14/2016

2 Comments

Last week we discussed the cringe in our stomachs, the anxiety we suffer, and the feelings of loneliness that many of us experience as a result of tokenism. But for just a second, I want you think about the other side of the coin:

Imagine walking into your orientation, class, or job on day one and seeing folks who represent every color in the rainbow. You see your Black brothers and sisters and your Latinx cousins. You notice some Asian and Middle Eastern friends. You might even hear different languages. It’s beautiful. It’s the educational experience you’ve always hoped for. You sit back in your seat and breathe a little sigh of relief because you know this time it’ll be different. This time, you won’t be a token; you’ll be in one of many. Your voice will be heard and ya’ll might even be out here singin’ kumbaya.

2 Comments

Token

9/7/2016

7 Comments

Let’s make sure we get a token so that we’re checking off each box.

In my mind that’s what hiring committees say when they’re trying to “diversify”. Let’s check off these boxes. We need one in each category to cover all the bases so we can be diverse. As a professional, I’m not saying that I’ve been in rooms where conversations like this have occurred, but I have spoken to MANY people who have been in those rooms. The words may not be as blunt, but the message is the same. Let’s get one (insert underrepresented demographics here).

7 Comments

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Respeck My Research

coping with trauma in academic spaces...a call for advice

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Don't let the numbers fool you

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