,
25 tweets,
5 min read
Read on Twitter
This tweet and the mention of #impostersyndrome has sparked some reflection on my part that I’d like to share. #LetsTalk
Topic: imposter syndrome being used by groups who typically hold power in academic/professional spaces
Topic: imposter syndrome being used by groups who typically hold power in academic/professional spaces
I’ve always seen imposter syndrome used in spaces of underrepresented minorities which makes complete sense. I’ve also seen the term used by white academics specifically on here and i just don’t know how to feel about it.
everyone to SOME extent can feel like they don’t belong. But how much of that is actually due to your identity vs the space you’re in?
Imposter syndrome felt by a white person in a field that is predominately white is just NOT the same as what I’m experiencing as a black woman in that same space.
I feel like I’m an imposter because I’m the only black person in the whole department including students and faculty NOT because i made a few mistakes in lab
I also want to add the consequences of making a mistake when you’re the “only”. that’s a lot of weight to carry to think “oh damn did my mistake just ruin the chance of another Black person being accepted into this space?” How does this reflect on my community vs me individually?
i can’t dictate what people feel/experience in regards to this idea. I’m just curious about what others think because i feel like there might need to be another term when it comes to those that hold “dominant” identities. As a minority in multiple identities, it has a (-) effect
Important to note that there are other identities besides race that relate to imposter syndrome(low income, first generation, sexual orientation, gender identity) also important to note, what other identities do you hold(race) which lessens the full brunt of these identities?
*race as an example. High SES is another identity that can help lessen the full impact of other identities
That’s how imposter syndrome works. I’m fully aware that I’ve earned my spot, deserve to be here, am capable, etc. but that feeling doesn’t go away when you’re in environments that have purposely excluded your community and continue to do so despite your existence there
Linking some responses I’ve already had and want to share
“Finally, Impostor Syndrome does not affect people equally. Minorities are much more likely to experience it, having their competence constantly questioned, while those who have a passing resemblance to Mark Zuckerberg are taken to be star programmers without merit.”
everyone can feel they don’t belong, like they are making more mistakes than others, that everyone is smarter than them, etc. BUT it’s important to be mindful about how identity and privilege relate to these feelings. Are these feelings due to a core part of your identity?
If these feelings are not due to a core part of your identity(such as race) how do you think your use of the term impacts minorities who DO hold those marginalized identities? And who not only feel like an imposter but are told in many ways that they don’t belong
Something that has come up after reading and responding to additional perspectives is how we respond(solutions) to imposter syndrome. Cont./
If we view imposter syndrome only as moments when we make mistakes and feel “stupid”, or when we feel alone or unqualified, it doesn’t account for the experiences of underrepresented minorities/other minority & marginalized groups who feel like an imposter as the only...
The solution to scenario one might be to build confidence, reflect on your skills and accomplishments, challenge the lab culture that doesn’t make room for mistakes
The solution to scenario two is much harder. It requires acknowledging and then combating white supremacy, homophobia, ableism,sexism, etc. It says, there are SYSTEMIC issues which resulted in imposter syndrome in these populations and it’s not just the individual
We have to acknowledge that while everyone struggles with these feelings, some of it is exacerbated in certain communities by institutional and systemic systems of oppression and to solve that takes actions which specifically include this
I still have lots of reflecting to do on this topic but thank you everyone who included their perspective and who helped spread this discussion today. #LetsTalk
I’ll do more discussions with this hashtag in the future
I’ll do more discussions with this hashtag in the future
