Saturday, May 11, 2013

Lonely Ebony in the Ivory Tower: Life As A Black Female Professor In The UK

" If black women are not in academia, it becomes very dangerous. Somebody else will tell your story. "

In Cecile Wright’s own words, the under-representation of black female academics in Higher Education institutions is a “disgrace”, not least because universities legitimise the socio-cultural norms of many societies, and are a greenhouse for cultivating future leaders of society.

In Part 3 of our 3-part interview, Yaaya explores the challenges facing black female academics today, and Cecile shares her perspective on the under-representation of black women at senior levels in Higher Education.

Click here to read Part 2.

And so the conversation continues …

Yaaya:
Let’s talk about your perspective. Do you agree that there is a chronic under-representation of black women in academia today?
Cecile W:
It’s not chronic. It’s a disgrace! The situation is a disgraceful blight on what are quintessentially liberal institutions, and our cultural centres of ideas and enlightenment.
Yaaya:
Why do you think that this is still the case? You have been in academia for 30 years, yet a black woman today is almost certain to face the same challenges that you did.
Cecile W:
Or worse! They (universities) should reflect, imbue, and demonstrate equality and inclusivity. But these values have become secondary to ensuring that they are financially sound institutions. It’s not an either or. Let me be clear about this. Inclusivity does not refer to universities deploying measures of positive discrimination. The ways of recruiting and staffing that many universities deploy, are leading to a ‘whitening’ of HE. Whether (or not) this is deliberate, I don’t know.

Perhaps they think they don’t have to recognise issues of racial diversity, because we are in a post-race era. Where little regard is given to ensuring that your staffing reflects the make-up of the community, it would be quite a challenge for a young, gifted black woman to get into Higher Education. You are talking about people who are highly capable. It’s not about ability.
Yaaya:
What, in your view, should be done to rectify the state of affairs?
Cecile W:
Universities do not like bad publicity. No university would take kindly to being implicitly considered to be discriminating against any group. One of the reasons why they appear to get off so lightly is because they are closed institutions. They are very good at being seen as docile, relatively harmless, ivory tower settings where people are divorced from reality. These institutions define the culture of society. Your future leaders come out of them. Universities create a veneer of what is normal, and students imbibe this. They legitimise to white students that only white people can be imbued with influence and power, because only white is reflected in the senior lecturers, deans and professors. So, this reinforces and reproduces a sense of inequality.

We are not using the means and measures we have, to hold these institutions to account. Firstly, communities need to challenge their respective universities to ensure that their civic duties are being performed. Secondly, 99% of all universities are funded through the public purse, so there is the opportunity to use the parliamentary system to hold them to account. Thirdly, there is the opportunity for initiatives like yours (Yaaya) to be asking the challenging questions. To top it off, all you need is a powerful documentary that goes to the media.
Yaaya:
What advice would you give to a young black woman who is considering a career in academia?
Cecile W:
Go for it. If you are inclined and motivated and aspire to this career, you have to go for it. And you have to inspire others to aspire to it as well. Don’t be in there on your own. You will not survive it. You need a network to support you. Until we are adequately represented, it (academia) will be isolating.

If we (black women) are not there (academia), it becomes very dangerous, in terms of knowledge production. Somebody else will tell your story. (pauses) But we have to be in there. Black women have to be there!
Yaaya:
Let us wrap up on a lighter note. I have a couple of one-liners that I want you to complete.

People will be surprised to know that ...
Cecile W:
There are female professors in the UK.
Yaaya:
I am inspired by ...
Cecile W:
Women like Diane Abbott, Doreen Lawrence, and Rosa Parks. I am inspired by women who are prepared to put their heads above the parapet and push boundaries.
Yaaya:
Yaaya for me represents ...
Cecile W:
Our voice. Or voices. Or, a voice.
Yaaya:
I still find it a challenge to ...
Cecile W:
To be taken seriously as a highly intelligent, gifted, capable, and creative black woman. Within the work context, not within my political activism.
Yaaya:
Thank you Cecile!

This post concludes the final part of our 3-part interview with Cecile Wright. Catch up on earlier parts of our conversation.

Part 1: Cecile Wright, The Woman Behind The Wonder

Part 2: Activist First, Academic Second

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