It’s officially Black History Month.
So, let’s chat about those who are so often overlooked by others in academia: black women.
I’ve been watching the Netflix show, Ginny & Georgia with my roommate (which I will also review) and I noticed something.
Ginny is a biracial high school sophomore. She has a white mother and a black father. Throughout the show it’s obvious that Ginny struggles with her identity. It’s much more obvious when she goes to school. She is constantly singled out by her English teacher, Mr. Gitten. She is the only black girl in her class and nobody speaks up about the treatment she receives, except for her. She always has to advocate for herself. Even when the other students in the class are aware that something is wrong with the way Mr. Gitten is addressing her. The example I can give is from the season I’m on right now. In season two, Mr. Gitten asks Ginny to pick a book that represents the black experience and lead a discussion with the class. She is the only one that has to do this. He has never asked anyone else. He wants to prove that he is not racist.
But, that backfires as Ginny realizes that’s not something she should have to do.
It’s very relatable. Too often people want to act like they’re “not racist” so much that all it does is show just how ignorant they really are.
Recently, I found out that I didn’t win any of the awards the journalism school gives out to seniors. I was really disappointed because I’ve wanted to win at least one since my freshman year. I don’t have anything against the winners because I know most of them, and they’re amazing people. However, when I went to ask why I wasn’t selected, the answer I got wasn’t what I was expecting.
“You already won an award last year. Your classmates are talented too.”
The more I thought about the response, the angrier it made me.
Am I only good enough to win one award? The diversity one? I mean come on, a black woman winning an award for diversity? The irony is so clear.
I never said that my classmates are not talented or don’t deserve anything. Heck, one of them even got two awards! He’s also the only black man on the whole list and a friend of mine. I’m happy for him because I know it’s not easy for black men to be recognized either.
But, all I wanted to know was why I was left out.
I’m not just mad I’m disappointed.
Disappointed but not surprised.
As a black woman, I don’t just feel that I have to work twice as hard as my white classmates; I know that I have to.
“There is also so much invisible labor for women of color who are academics.”
A quote from the article, “Burnout, racism and extra diversity-related work: Black women in academia share their experiences” by Katelyn Fosset shows that I am not alone in these feelings.
A lot of what black women achieve in academia is so often overlooked, brushed off or not even acknowledged. It is invisible labor. And it is a shame.
It’s clearly reflected in the response I received.
Black women always have to do more, say more and show more.
We must always advocate for ourselves because if we don’t then who will?
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