RESEARCH
One Professor Advised Me Not to Research Racism. Here’s Why I Did It Anyway
A personal story about overcoming barriers in academia
Three years ago, when I decided to pursue my doctorate in Psychology, I faced an uphill climb. Not only did I have to confront the same pressures as any adult student, trying to strike a work-school balance, but as a Black woman, I had to overcome racial bias as well. Perhaps I should preface this by saying that before this moment, I did not have a negative experience with White students or teachers. Growing up in New Orleans, I attended predominately Black schools for my K-12 education, and as such, I did not face the racism many Black students do when they are in the minority. Even when I attended creative writing classes as the only Black student, no one discouraged my efforts. During college, many professors were supportive. However, my doctoral journey was different.
The vibe shifts when students start their post-graduate work because, during this period, they are granted more leeway to pick topics to focus on and explore. At this point, professors may act as gatekeepers, either approving or disapproving topics, controlling the current of free-flowing ideas. Doctoral research will be published and disseminated within the scientific community — it’s a big…
