I grew up being told I had to work twice as hard for everything as well. That was partially my motivation for going for my Masters in Psychology. I justified that as a Black woman, my M.S. might be as worthy as their B.A. Still when I apply for jobs, I cannot escape my Blackness so that mindframe really did more harm that good. Don't get me wrong. I am happy I got my M.A. but those unreaslistic expectations also made me a perfectionist at work. I overworked myself on several occasions thinking that it was my responsibility to live up to their expectations. Thanks so much for writing this. I can relate.