My name is Tiffany Martínez. As a McNair Fellow and student scholar, I’ve presented at national conferences in San Francisco, San Diego, and Miami. I have crafted a critical reflection piece that was published in a peer-reviewed journal managed by the Pell Institute for the Study of Higher Education and Council for Opportunity in Education. I have consistently juggled at least two jobs and maintained the status of a full-time student and Dean’s list recipient since my first year at Suffolk University. I have used this past summer to supervise a teen girls empower program and craft a thirty page intensive research project funded by the federal government. As a first generation college student, first generation U.S. citizen, and aspiring professor I have confronted a number of obstacles in order to earn every accomplishment and award I have accumulated. In the face of struggle, I have persevered and continuously produced content that is of high caliber.
I name these accomplishments because I understand the vitality of credentials in a society where people like me are not set up to succeed. My last name and appearance immediately instills a set of biases before I have the chance to open my mouth. These stereotypes and generalizations forced on marginalized communities are at times debilitating and painful. As a minority in my classrooms, I continuously hear my peers and professors use language that both covertly and overtly oppresses the communities I belong to. Therefore, I do not always feel safe when I attempt to advocate for my people in these spaces. In the journey to become a successful student, I swallow the “momentary” pain from these interactions and set my emotions aside so I can function productively as a student.
Today is different. At eight o’clock this morning, I felt both disrespected and invalidated. For years I have spent ample time dissecting the internalized racism that causes me to doubt myself, my abilities, and my aspirations. As a student in an institution extremely populated with high-income white counterparts, I have felt the bitter taste of not belonging. It took until I used my cloud of doubt and my sociological training to realize that my insecurities are rooted in the systems I navigate every day. I am just as capable if not more so than those around me and my accomplishments are earned.
This morning, my professor handed me back a paper (a literature review) in front of my entire class and exclaimed “this is not your language.” On the top of the page they wrote in blue ink: “Please go back and indicate where you cut and paste.” The period was included. They assumed that the work I turned in was not my own. My professor did not ask me if it was my language, instead they immediately blamed me in front of peers. On the second page the professor circled the word “hence” and wrote in between the typed lines “This is not your word.” The word “not” was underlined. Twice. My professor assumed someone like me would never use language like that. As I stood in the front of the class while a professor challenged my intelligence I could just imagine them reading my paper in their home thinking could someone like her write something like this?
In this interaction, my undergraduate career was both challenged and critiqued. It is worth repeating how my professor assumed I could not use the word “hence,” a simple transitory word that connected two relating statements. The professor assumed I could not produce quality research. The professor read a few pages that reflected my comprehension of complex sociological theories and terms and invalidated it all. Their blue pen was the catalyst that opened an ocean of self-doubt that I worked so hard to destroy. In front of my peers, I was criticized by a person who had the academic position I aimed to acquire. I am hurting because my professor assumed that the only way I could produce content as good as this was to “cut and paste.” I am hurting because for a brief moment I believed them.
Instead of working on my English paper that is due tomorrow, I felt it crucial to reflect on the pain that I am sick of swallowing. My work is a reflection of my growth in a society that sees me as the other. For too long I have others assume I am weak, unintelligent, and incapable of my own success. Another element of this invalidation is that as I sit here with teary eyes describing the distress I am too familiar with, the professor has probably forgotten all about it. My heartache can not be universally understood and until it is, I have to continue to fight. At this moment, there are students who will never understand the desolation that follows an underlined “not.” There are students who will be assumed capable without the need to list their credentials in the beginning of a reflective piece. How many degrees do I need for someone to believe I am an academic?
At this moment, I am in the process of advocating for myself to prove the merit of my content to people who will never understand what it is like to be someone like me. Some of you won’t understand how every word that I use to describe this moment was diligently selected in a way that would properly reflect my intellect. I understand that no matter how hard I try or how well I write, these biases will continue to exist around me. I understand that my need to fight against these social norms is necessary.
In reality, I am tired and I am exhausted. On one hand, this experience solidifies my desire to keep going and earn a PhD but on the other it is a confirmation of how I always knew others saw me. I am so emotional about this paper because in the phrase “this is not your word,” I look down at a blue inked reflection of how I see myself when I am most suspicious of my own success. The grade on my paper was not a letter, but two words: “needs work.” And it’s true. I am going to graduate in May and enter a grad program that will probably not have many people who look like me. The entire field of academia is broken and erases the narratives of people like me. We all have work to do to fix the lack of diversity and understanding among marginalized communities. We all have work to do.
Academia needs work.
TIFFANY MARTÍNEZ 
I am totally with you and know the feeling. I’m doing a PhD and face the same thing, even though I’m teaching and marking post grads. I know the pain that you are experiencing as I’ve been in the same situation for years. I too said this recently to someone, I wish academics were not so arrogant and I hope o don’t turn into them…
my heart’s with you and wish you all the best!
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Hi Tiffany. I wanna start by saying im so sorry you had to deal with this nonesense. As a latina woman doing her undergrad in Canada i have never felt like this. On the other hand, I feel encouraged to share my differences with my peers and with faculty. I hope this matter get solved promptly and you never deal with anything like this again, not only you but any minority in an American or Canadian university.
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Take everyone’s advice an challenge this, that you should even have to is appalling but do it. I attended a large university who were very pro the ‘new labour’government. I wrote a n essay on the history of the healthcare system criticising the then leader of new labour Tony Blair. I had my paper returned with an accusation of plagiarism an order to rewrite it. I did so praising new labour. Suddenly it wasnt plagurised anymore…..an I got a good mark. I am still furious about the ethics of what happened. Don’t let a situation where you carry the anger for years happen, sort it now.Good luck !
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Tiffany, I’ve read your interesting discourse. Remember that many persons are perceived as threats if they present themselves a notch above the crowd, HENCE the best way that those who feel threatened handle these situations is to belittle the source of their perceived threat. You are good at what you do. Continue doing your best regardless of the naysayers. Reach for the stars. Make your family, friends and acquaintances proud of you. I am proud of you, and I do not know you.
God bless.
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Hence was not the appropriate word to use. Look it up. Maybe the word you were looking for was “therefore.” Reading what you posted, your teacher said, “this is not your word” meaning this is not the correct word choice. As well, I have a master’s and have written several research papers… you can be kicked out of programs for plagiarism. Plagiarism is not only word for word, copy and paste.. it is an idea that is not your own. If you read a concept from someone else and placed it in your paper with different words, you still need a citation. Honestly, you are lucky your teacher would even allow you to revise because some have no tolerance for plagiarism, and you would receive a zero. Millenials need to learn how to take criticism and grow from it. It is not appropriate to assume a professor is racist against you because you plagariszed and had poor diction. Btw, I’m a millenial, too.
Do I think your teacher ‘s decision to embarass and make you the example in front of your class was appropriate? No, of course not. However, those are two different things. Good luck. Take criticism and grow. People are going to beat you down, make you feel stupid or whatever, but prove them wrong.
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How do you go from “you used the word ‘hence’ incorrectly” to plagiarism. “This is not your word” does not indicate that the word was used incorrectly. It means what it says. Why do you feel the need to attack the writer when you know absolutely nothing about the situation. Is it possible that the situation is being misrepresented? I suppose, though I have no reason to think so. However, their is certainly no basis for your alternative explanation.
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Keep in mind the teacher insinuated at the top of the paper that she “copied and pasted” her writing from other sources.
How could you knowing that suggest that the teacher was correcting her grammar when he wrote “this is not your word”.
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Hence and therefore are synonyms, which someone with your alleged collegiate experience, Tara, ought to know.
I also love how snide and condescending you are when you accuse the original writer of plagiarism, despite not having read her writing AND you assume her to be a millennial! Citation required on that one please. Apparently, they will hand out a master’s degree to anyone these days.
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Are you kidding me?! She pours her heart out about how the professor ASSUMED plagiarism and you just do the same exact thing. You’re an example of what is wrong in this world.
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Did you read this whole thing? She did not plagiarize. The professor just assumed she did because it was good English.
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From the American Heritage Dictionary
hence (hĕns)
adv.
1.
a. For this reason; therefore: handmade and hence expensive.
b. From this source: They grew up in the Sudan; hence their interest in Nubian art.
[etc.]
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Wtf? Did you read her whole paper in order to decide that she plagiarized? How do you know that the teacher secretly meant something other than what he or she wrote? I think you hate to think of someone being racist because it makes you uncomfortable.
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Why do you assume she plagiarized in any way? And if you want to be technical if the word hence was missed used then it should have been phrase this is not the correct use of hence not this is not your word. You are grasping at straws trying to justify why the teacher marked her paper that way. You are also calling her a liar and thief without reason when you assume she plagiarized someone else’s work or ideas. I wonder why you assumed she did. Hmmmmm….interesting.
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That’s bollocks. Seriously, read that again to yourself. What sort of English professor would use that phrase rather than just ‘therefore is more appropriate than hence’ if that’s what they actually meant? A piss poor one I expect.
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Language is subjective, people have different writing styles and use words that fit best with the overall paper, how many words did Shakespeare literally make up for his plays? You’re assuming she plagiarized just like the teacher, good for you you’re entitled to your opinion. Anyone with an ounce of emotional intelligence can see that someone with this sort of passion sees writing as an opportunity to learn, not cut and paste.
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There are a lot of bizarre grammatical errors in this post that almost convince me you are trolling. But, assuming you aren’t:
1. “Hence” and “therefore”, in this context, are semantic equals. There is no error in her usage.
2. With the additional context of her professor’s accusations of “cut and paste”, it is clear that this correction is intended as another instance of purported plagiarism, not an incidence of grammatical correction.
3. Thank you for educating us on the meaning of plagiarism, for which you have exactly zero justification to accuse the author.
4. How the fuck did you use this post to summon invective about millennials? Do you actually know the age or of the author? Where in this post does she attempt to identify with this dubious generational category?
5. “It is not appropriate to assume a professor is racist against you” …. interesting. So empathetic of you to relate to the author through your assumed “millennial” status, but I wonder, do you happen to be an ethnic minority? Thanks for telling us what is appropriate to assume. HOW ABOUT THE ASSUMPTION OF THE PROFESSOR THAT A LATINA CANNOT POSSIBLY COMMAND A BASIC GRASP OF ENGLISH? His “not your word” comment is already dubious, but combined with “not your language”, this constitutes a full-fledged racist double entendre.
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Synonyms for therefore: consequently, so, as a result, HENCE, thus, accordingly, for that reason, ergo, that being the case, on that account; More
Hence and therefore are equally valid words. Also “this is not your word” is not how you say “this is not the correct word choice”. Being that it sounds like this was an English class the ENGLISH teacher knew full well what they were writing with that sentence.
Your entire post is the reason this entire blog post had to be made in the first place (i.e putting the onus on OP over the real person/reasons at fault).
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…I thought it was made pretty clear that she didn’t actually plagiarize anything, the teacher just assumed she did…. Even so… you went on to use the assumption that she DID actually plagiarize her work to criticize an entire generation of people and make a sweeping generalization that millennials just need to learn to take criticism… It doesn’t matter if you are or aren’t a part of that demographic, you shouldn’t make that kind of general statement based on hackneyed evidence that’s twisted to reflect your own opinions. Why would the teacher use such ambiguous language to say that? What’s more, it’s stated in the article that the teacher specifically said “This is not your language” in front of the class.
You aren’t above your generation.
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“As well” is not your phrase.
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Using the word ‘your’ isn’t a correction for grammar. If the professor was truly about correction and grammar they would have used ‘the’. And yay on the man-splaining for academia. If you have a masters degree and only written several research papers it couldn’t have been a hard course. I have 2 Masters degrees and wrote at least 8 papers of 15+ pages, did multiple presentations on subjects as varied as management styles, ethics, evaluation of information, and analysis of research methodology. The degrees requires a total of 3 internships, in which I wrote a final review, And let’s not forget a thesis of 15,000 words. It’s nice you tried to be supportive at the end, but your attitude is endemic of higher education(and I worked for an Ivy League University for over a decade) and it’s insulting.
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According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word “hence” is synonymous with “therefore,” both meaning “for this reason.” Thus the writer did, indeed, use the word correctly. “Hence” has the additional meaning of “from this time,” as in “henceforth.” However, given the context of the sentence in which the word was used, it most certainly was used correctly.
However, I personally take umbrage at your assumption that the author plagiarized another writer, whether in word or in idea, and that the professor was correct in this situation. The professor is quoted as saying to indicate where the student author had cut and pasted. The professor is NOT quoted as saying that an idea or concept was plagiarized. The author is most likely correct in her interpretation of the professor’s written and verbal comments.
As a retired teacher who has taught at every grade level, including college, I can say that the behavior of this professor is deplorable and needs to be reported. No instructor should ever shame a student in front of an entire class. If there are accusations of plagiarism to be made, it should be done privately. NO student should ever be treated this way.
Additionally, the professor needs to purchase a dictionary. Perhaps the author could buy a small dictionary as a gift, with a Post-It next to the word “hence.”
As a member of a minority group within the USA, I am well aware of racism at all levels of our society. I have learned that if an individual or group of people feel that there is racism, that they are being discriminated against, then they most likely are.
And Tiffany, you are a better woman than I am. I very probably would have told the professor two words that are everyone’s words. I’m sure you can imagine what words I mean. Hang in there – you are obviously bright, articulate, and have a great deal to offer the world. They just need to learn to listen.
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But Tara, you do not actually KNOW that this student plagiarized; yet, you assume it. Second, “not your word” read within the context of the professor’s other comment clearly implies something other than word choice. How about simply, “inappropriate,” rather than “not your word”?
I know of no respectable setting, not even at a pre-school or primary school level, much less an adult student setting, is it appropriate to chastise a student in the presence of the other students.
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A: What’s wrong with how she used “hence?” B: You are inferring that the professor’s comment meant the word was used incorrectly, which I believe is a stretch. C: You are assuming, despite the author’s reassurances, that the piece actually WAS plagiarized. So instead of giving relevant or helpful advice, you jumped into the crowd of people who are “going to beat you down, make you feel stupid…”
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Tara, I’m going to respectfully disagree with you. First off, “hence” and “therefore” are in fact synonymous. To use your words: look it up.
Second, there’s a fundamental difference between a teacher saying “you need to cite your source” or “write your own analysis of the source to avoid plagiarism”–and saying “this is not YOUR word.” That’s not a critique, it’s a personal attack. Rather than pointing out where her logic may have been flawed, her prof chose to make a judgment of her, rather than a comment on her writing or scholarship.
What Tiffany experiencing is discrimination, plain and simple.
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Eh, even if it wasn’t the right word – that does not warrant an accusation of plagiarism. Poor diction, sure. But that’s not even the case as, ‘hence’ and ‘therfore’ are synonymous.
Secondly, the article suggests that the instructor’s conclusion of plagiarism is primarily based on the instructor’s assuption that this student is unable to use the level of vocabulary.
NOT the actual content of the paper -which are two completely different things.
(“Hence” is such a basic word though. If my instructor thought I plagiarized because I used ‘hence’ I’d be absolutely insulted.)
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If the professor was commenting on inappropriate word usage, they would have expressed that criticism better. There are several other ways to get that point across constructively, however judging from the ‘cut and paste’ comment and the way they treated her, it seems unlikely.
In any case, as a scholar and potential grad school candidate, I’m pretty sure the author knows exactly what plagiarism is and its consequences – you don’t need to patronize her by explaining something any serious first year student, let alone a McNair Fellow, would know about. And the implication that millennials need to take criticism and grow from it? What this professor said wasn’t criticism, it was an outright allegation of plagiarism. You assume that because the professor thinks she plagiarised, that she must have. What makes you think that she didn’t write her own work or cite it? One cropped screenshot of an essay that you haven’t read and two presumptuous comments by a professor?
So much for the critical thinking skills you’re meant to have from your masters degree.
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You sound like a troll. And you can’t spell “embarrass” which I find a little…embarrassing.
BTW, hence is a synonym for therefore and vice versa. Hence, you’re just a troll.
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How do you know that hence was used incorrectly? There is not enough context to know one way or the other. In addition not knowing what the paper was about why would you assume that any plagiarism took place at all? Were you sitting in the professors’ mind to know what was meant by “this is not your word”.
What is being shared is an experience and as is clearly stated, that experience may not be yours, but from your response it seems as if you are presuming that it its not a valid experience… hmmmmm
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Absolutely Unacceptable!! I am familiar with Suffolk University and this type of behavior from a professor astonishes me. Do not take this lying down. Rise Up and Let The Know Who You Are! You are not alone…
-First-Gen Xicana College Graduate with an M.Ed
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I have a doctorate. As an undergraduate student one of my professors could not believe I could write. Sent to the Dean to defend myself against the accusation of plagiarism, I had to prove my innocence. The professor was not called upon to provide evidence of his accusation. I am sorry this has happened to you. I’m even more sorry there are professors that are culturally incompetent teaching at universities.
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So Tiiffany, where do you go to school….Suffolk College? Is that Suffolk University of Arts and Sciences in Boston? Do they have an Academic Senate that reviews policies and practices? Is there a review board that grants or examines grounds for tenure? Are there any other University organizations that can investigate unprofessional, unwarranted, or potentially racist behavior by faculty? Stand up for yourself. Go get sympathetic or like-minded faculty, administrators, and anyone with clout at your school to come down on this dickhead like a ton of bricks.
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May I suggest that rather than getting upset by this incident, take it as a challenge. Make your next paper/assignment drain that blue pen. Make your next work so profound that your professor loses sleep over it. Never, ever let the words or actions of others determine who you are.
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May I suggest that people are allowed to have their emotions. Otherwise, if they’re kept bottled up and repressed, it’s much worse in the long run. Also, she did say that it’s necessary for her to keep working. Which means that she has no intention of quitting. Just because someone is upset by something, doesn’t mean they’re going to give up. A lot of the time that just means they dig in deeper, to prove others are wrong.
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I concur with American Infidel. Your “professor” sounds ignorant and bigoted and unfit to teach. Follow up to complain if you wish, but remember that when you finish your education you will be a much,much better teacher than this destructive, toxic racist whom your college has unfortunately hired. No one has the right to use their power to bully someone else!!
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Tiffany, as someone who was an English prof and dean for many years, I join your other commenters in feeling outraged at the treatment you received at this “teacher’s” hands. Besides the obvious disrespect, insult, and shaming of your teacher’s actions, s/he violated federal privacy regulations by discussing your work in front of other students. This sorry excuse for a professor needs to be brought to the attention of your college dean, the dean of Student Affairs, or the dean of Academic Affairs. Please know that I can tell you, as someone who taught college students writing for many years, that you are a terrific writer and have an extremely bright future ahead of you. Finish the semester and let this individual fade in your rear-view mirror as you go on to great things. I know that the hurt and humiliation and anger will remain, at some level, but I hope that you will accumulate so many positive experiences in the coming years that you can see this person for who s/he is — an abuser of authority and privilege, someone who cannot hold a candle to the one that will be you, brightly shining.
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As a woman of color completing my Ph.D. I wanted to comment on the sheer ridiculousness of your professor’s accusation. Whoever knew the word “hence” could be so threatening! You unknowingly challenged him so he ridiculed you in front of your peers and made you question yourself. The thing is, nothing will change the fact that you are a talented writer and fully capable of achieving your goals. You’ll always run into those who don’t want you to succeed because it makes them question themselves and their beliefs/expectations. That says a lot more about them than it does about you. Nothing can stop you unless you allow it to–but I doubt you’ll ever let that happen. Standing with you! Keep up the good fight!
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This is so wrong darling! You’re so brave for standing up to this and speaking out. Thank you for sharing your story. Sending love & light from San Diego. xx
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I am half Taiwanese and experienced a lot of this growing up in America’s Deep South. I had a Taiwanese doctor who figured prominently in my childhood who used to tell me, “always remember, you are better than them.”
These “gatekeepers” collecting heavy tolls on our respective journeys, are who he was referring to.
#thisis2016
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Thank you for sharing this difficult truth. I would visit the professor during office hours – schedule a meeting if possible. I would also take a copy of this piece to him/her. The goal should be to help them understand how harmful these assumptions are, that you in fact submitted material that was all written by you and you alone (unless attributed) and to ask for the professor’s future faith in your capabilities. If this does not go well I would consider speaking to the department head (unless this professor is the department head, in which case I would go to the dean). You are smart and strong and blazing a trail. I’m glad you have community to shore you up. I will be right here celebrating your milestones.
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As a fellow Richmond student(graduated now) i applaud you for advocating and sharing your story! The second half of this is for you to report to a principal or trusted faculty at the school as this is completely inappropriate and punishable behavior. Much love
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A professor like this broke me, another broke my daughter. P lease don’t let it break you. Finish and rub their face in it.!
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How did you address this with your professor? Did you stand up and defend yourself in front of the class? Did you meet with them after class or during office hours?
My feeling is that story isn’t over without a proper conclusion. Not confronting them and correcting them is like you being ok with it happening. Stand proud!
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I have been an ESL professor for six years now, and I am so sorry you are having to deal with this elitist crapola! The individual who did this to you should not be allowed to be an educator, because this person obviously does not know what it means to be a teacher. Seriously, some people have lived in the world of academia for far too long and need to get off the elite horses and define the words: teacher, dignity and integrity.
Please don’t let this person get you down for too long, and tell the dean.
Sincerely,
My mama bear claws are out for you
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I am a professor. Your professor’s behavior was totally inappropriate. You should report this to the Dean of the students. I have had to deal with plagiarism cases, and I would never accuse anybody in front of their peers. This is plainly unacceptable.
Now, don’t give up. Academia needs work, you are right on that; but you’ll find some people who will advocate for you. And we need you to come in and advocate for others. Some professors will be your best allies, I promise. Those allies are out there, in academia, willing to help and make change happen. Don’t let them down by giving up. Don’t let the next generation down by giving up. Academia needs you.
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Keep moving forward. Silence speaks loudly. In other words, show them beget than you can tell them. He’ll remember you, when you replace him, as he’ll be obsolete.
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I really hope you choose to bring this up with your University staff as this is a clear discrimination case. Perhaps it would also be healing for you to express your frustration formally and hopefully be validated for this expression. I would be surprised if the professor your article mentions was not disciplined. You would be well within your rights to demand a formal apology and other appropriate remedial measures by the University.
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Ms. Martinez,
You need to speak with your professor immediately. I know that’s hard, given what just happened to you. But you must start with the person who has so grievously offended you.
He’s accused you of plagiarism. That’s a serious academic charge, one that could cause you to fail the course, even be expelled from school. And he made that charge in PUBLIC. That is a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). It’s higher education’s version of HIPAA, the healthcare privacy law.
He has no right to do that. Any concerns about academic honesty should have been raised with you in private. He must have more evidence than use of a single word to make it stick. Did he run your paper through a plagiarism checker such as Turnitin?
After you speak to him, you should speak to your Department Chair, then the Dean. Check your student handbook for the process of filing a grievance. At the least your professor owes you a public apology. If indeed it went down as you say (and I’m not questioning you, but since I wasn’t there I have to respect that this is an allegation at this point), then he opened your university to legal liability. You could sue him personally, and your university.
I doubt that’s what you really want. What you really want, I suspect, is to be validated as a human being with rights, including the right to be treated equally and respectfully as any of your other peers. Demand this. Start with your professor and work your way up the chain of command at your university until you get it. Only if they continue to dismiss you should you consider legal action, which will take time and be personally difficult for you no matter the outcome, no matter what you really deserve. But don’t hesitate either, if it comes to that. Take control and you will be OK in the long run.
Be polite and respectful. Don’t get emotional or make threats, including a threat of legal action. That closes the door. Speak your mind, as articulately as you did here. In fact show your professor this blog. Give him a chance to apologize and see what he does, see if he makes it right to your satisfaction.
Good luck. I wish you the best.
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Agree. To start, give him a copy of this article.
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As a professor and Department Chair, myself, I would hope that none of my faculty would do something as egregious as this. As I explain to my students, their first line of defense is always to talk openly with their faculty member. Academia has little room anymore for the old “sage on the stage” method of instruction. If your professor (assuming he really *is* a professor), work your way to the chain—respectfully—to the Department Chair. It’s pretty darn hard to trace a single word and claim plagiarism. And for any faculty member worth their salt, they can easily tell creative use of the language from cut & pasted content. As noted above, do this as calmly and respectfully as possible; your faculty member is a human, too, and can make honest mistakes for all kinds of reasons. But if you were publicly wronged, you should be publicly apologized to… and perhaps there is even a lesson that can be taught from these circumstances. Keep working on your degree. Be strong. Believe in yourself, for one day you will need to encourage others to believe in *themselves.*
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I don’t wish to denigrate your experience, but why did you not confront your professor about the note? Your interpretation of his words might be completely correct, but does it not behoove you to check if he meant something else, or perhaps mistook your work for something plagiarized?
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I used to be an honor student in high school. I quit high school. When I was trying to go back to school to complete my high school diploma, the only option given to me was independent study….which was not some thing I could do. After trying and trying and failing to get through the independent study, I went to a counselor at the college and asked if there were some set classes I could go into -ones with a set time and an instructor,which was what I needed. He told me that this was the only way and if I didn’t do this, I would never amount to anything and I would be a failure for the rest of my life!
I was devastated. I went back to trying to do independent study and one of the instructors finally asked me why I didn’t try to write my GED. I had no knowledge of it and the counselor who advised me I would be a failure never told me about it.
I wrote the GED exam – without studying for it and passed with flying colors. When I went to register for college that year, my results had not come in yet and the admissions department told me I didn’t need it as I was coming as a mature student (I was 21). Something else that lying sack of crap counselor never told me about when I went to him for help and guidance!
Thank heavens I found information from others than that lying sack of crap. I have no idea how he got to become a counselor.
And yes, I got my diploma and now have a good job. God knows how many people that lying sack of crap devastated!
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I’m unhappy this happened and I’m happy to share it to raise awareness. Best regards. Don’t be discouraged.
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Hi Tiffany,
Your story is compelling and your resolve is commendable and necessary. I work at the University Registrar’s Office in New York, and I would like you to know that under the Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA for short), it is illegal to do as your professor did and publicly discuss your grade (or lack thereof) to your class, as this infringes upon your rights to privacy as a student and as an adult.
I would urge you to reach out to your school’s Registrar’s Office or Student Success department about this, as this is unacceptable conduct and should be dealt with in the proper manner.
I wish you all the best!
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I sincerely hope that you submit a formal complaint to personnel at Suffolk Univ (not only the Dept. Chair, but the appropriate Deans, President as well as the school’s newspaper). It is deeply troublesome for a professor to assume that “hence” is elevated language. In fact, it makes your school seem subpar, as evidenced by the embarrassingly low bar that your professor has set. I’ll be sure to notify my students of Suffolk’s low academic standards and inherent biases (I teach 11th grade English – “hence” is actually a 6th grade level vocabulary word).
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This is totally and completely unacceptable. First of all, there is a thing in our society called the burden of proof, and when someone makes an accusation, it is THEIR responsibility to provide evidence to support it, not the responsibility of the accused to prove their innocence. If your professor really believes that you plagiarized the paper, then he or she is the one who has to prove it, not you. If I were in your position, I would take the paper back to the professor and tell them this. Then go to the dean of your school and make a formal complaint. This is blatant racism and discrimination that flies in the face of the basic structure of our society, and you shouldn’t stand for it.
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You have touched a nerve. I have also grown tired of those who(within any field) immediately categorize others performance at their own level without any afterthought however, I’ve come to realize these idiots are a necessary malady within academia. Serving a function obviously unaware they are performing; they are here to remind us how much better We are. Any idiot can regurgitate criticism at quality having being trapped inside their own feeble, mediocre minds. Such are his actions the result of jealousy. He is probably repeating what at some point was pointed out at his own work, work that was likely easily recognized as sub-par. This particular idiot has fulfilled his function, He’s made you aware of how much more worthy your performance is and how much success resides in your future. He shall never grow past his own mediocrity and at some point it may even be possible that he’ll take credit for your accomplishments( in order to justify his stagnant existence) boldly stating that your ideas are the result of his guidance and tutelage. You’ll find these narrow-minded individuals in all walks of life for the rest of your life. Here is a fact for you: Self doubt is but the first step towards self improvement. You have already doubted yourself and are now working towards your growth. Stay the path and let the anger drive your growth, for your energy should never be wasted on worthless individuals. With my utmost respect.
Roger.
p.s. Pardon my horrible grammar and orthography. I wrote this angry.
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In middle and high school I would have to tell teachers that I understood the words that were to large for “someone like me” to know. After my paper would be returned to me my teachers would often pull me aside and ask me to define multiple words I had used.
My complexion is pale, but I am half Puerto Rican and have a Spanish last name. I too have gotten this ‘doubt’ from educators. I’m glad we’ve all been proving them wrong though! It’s unacceptable for professors and teachers to act this way.
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*too
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Tiffany,
I do not know you, yet I am very proud of you. Proud of your diligence. Proud of how far you have come from whence you hail. Proud of how and what you write. Academia will not love you back. It won’t, but you will be ok as you carve your space in it and surround yourself with individuals who have your back, no matter what. Lovingly,
An older woman who did not have the fortitude you have, yet understands where you are.
Get it girl!
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Wow
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Academic Affairs at your university should be made aware of the bias of this professor and of the gross breach of ethics that she committed by discussing this in front of the class. You should not let this go unpunished. She will do it to other students until she is made to check her white privilege at the door. On the other hand, your accomplishments, which I do not doubt will be huge, will speak for yourself. Sincerely, an English university professor who loves her students and revels in their success.
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I’m so sorry this happened to you. Deplorable treatment by your “educator”. Shake it off and keep on fighting the good fight. 🙂
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Outrageous! I hope the Professor is reprimanded in some way and I hope you brought this to the attention of the Dean of Students and the Dean of Faculty.
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Is it possible your professor’s point was that you should write how you speak? “This is not your language,” to me just says that you wouldn’t use the word “hence” in a conversation so don’t use it in a paper.
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No.
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The fact that the professor also stated that she “Please go back and indicate where you cut and paste.” indicates that they felt she simply copied someone else’s work, not merely wrote in a manner different from her speech.
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I think the accusation that she must have plagiarized (“where did you cut and paste”) tells us that’s not the genesis of this comment.
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That’s hubris and ignorant.
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No. Besides there is conversational language and academic language, the latter should be used in an academic assignment.
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No! Do not try to rationalize or excuse what was intended by the professor. Generally, some of the colloquium used in day-to-day language wouldn’t show up in a literary piece. So I’m not sure what YOU are trying to get at with your comment.
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Nowhere in academia are people expected to write exactly how they speak. Eloquence is expected. We have adapted ways of speaking in daily life that are washed-out versions of the English language. In a University situation, I can guarantee any competent professor would not bat an eye to the use of the word “hence”. To even imply that the word falls into a vocabulary beyond what what this girl is capable of using is a misjudgement and an insult, and cheapens any effort to use our language effectively. Conversational language has no place in academic papers, and you will be hard-pressed to find a situation in the realm of academia where it is acceptable or well-regarded.
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solidarity!
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That professor really disrespected you and I find it appalling that she could think you, a college senior, would be unable to use the word hence! I personally feel insulted for you. This professor owes you a public apology and Suffolk University should issue a statement and try to examine some inherent biases that exist among faculty and within the community at large, to insure that other students like you don’t feel alienated and belittled. Believe me the work wants to hear your voice and you wrote beautifully! You deserve an A++!
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Your professor would give me an F for my two typos . . . corrected sentence:
Believe me, the world wants to hear your voice and you write beautifully!
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This is really sad to read. Professors are supposed to educating and advancing young minds not belittling them. Especially in front of an entire body of class. I sincerely hope she is removed from her position.
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A bit harsh. And if tenured, next to impossible.
Requires counseling, certainly. Training in the best way to handle suspicions of plagiarism. And training in NOT making assumptions about people’s competency based on their race, gender, or background. And training in procedure – to respect students enough to talk to them in private, rather than humiliate them in front of the entire class.
In thses days of easy Internet access to papers, documents, research, etc. it is very hard for a professor to decide if something has been taken from somewhere else. However, most uni’s have procedures to be followed, search and pattern-recognition software and the like, that can be used PRIOR to someone’s knee-jerk reaction of “this is not your work”.
In the meantime, print out a bunch of your previous work – the stuff that gave you your other credentials in the first place – and DUMP it on the professor’s desk with a note telling them to read your “prior art” and see if the phrasing and word choice in your latest paper is the same!
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Reblogged this on C.D. Dennis the Author.
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Hi.
Carl Gustav Jung, the great psychiatrist and psychologist, narrates a similar event in his student life, on his autobiography “Memory, Dreams and Reflections.” He felt so much as you, and yet, he went ahead and today no one knows hos teacher’s name, but he is known trhoughout the world. It is so awful that you have to undergo all this ordeal during your way to your degree, but you are a part of the very force that will make these things change.
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I experienced this type of discrimination in the sixth grade. In a class discussion I used the word, inferred. The teacher just laughed out loud and, repeated the word in a sarcastic tone. He did not address the content of my comment. He just walked away. I was eleven, now I have a PhD in molecular biology and teach and mentor students at the University. I appreciate you sharing your story and allowing me to share mine.
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Never back down, you’re the boss at what you do and a queen in your own right and writing
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As a mother and stepmother to five kids, I plainly recall attempting to enroll in a northern Pennsylvania university where the academic “advising” me sourly suggested that I enroll in an at-home transcription class because I didn’t belong in academia. I felt shame and humiliation. Six years later, I was accepted at Granite State College feeling that I wasn’t good enough. Not only did I make the Dean’s list, but I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in History. The assumptions made by that “advisor” in PA says more about him than it did about me.
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You are intelligent and more than capable. I know this is just a small obstacle for you because I can tell your destined for great things. It’s a shame that as women of color we constantly have to prove ourselves worthy, but you and I both know you have what it takes to continue your education owning your truth and your worth with such a tenasciois spirit! Thank you for sharing your story with the world. I’m excited to see what’s next for you.
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My friend Tiff, that’s so unfortunate. On the upside though, this shows that your game is up, and those doubting you are the losers. Sometimes in our lives we tend to achieve so much against certain odds, and when we do this, against the expectations of those around us, irrespective of what they say, we only need to keep Straight with our head held high. I encourage you to commit to your goals and success. Many people have been motivated to do things beyond imagination just because someone didn’t believe in them at some, the thought of this experience, instead if weighing you diwn, it should propel you even further. I remember when I was about 15, after a poetry lesson in my ckass, I composed a beautiful poem which my teachers and classmates claimed I had copied from a magazine. To spite them, I did a record ten poems in one week. That was the beginning of my journey with poetry till now. Keep it up.
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WOW! To think this could happen. Who could one complain to without having to prove you wrote what you wrote and be taken seriously? I hope the professor reflects on how she has just become another stereotypical racist. As for Tiffany Martinez author of this blog… I hope you achieve and surpass your goals and that one day you present that professor your degrees so that she can feel as small as she made you feel. Go on! Get the PhD. and keep on inspiring.
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Reblogged this on Ambitious Girl. and commented:
Standing by Tiffany who is just another ambitious girl, just trying to win! Keep your head up I believe in you and I understand exactly where you’re coming from.
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Raising my fist in solidarity, sister. I see you. Keep going forward. Let nothing and no one stop you!
– A first generation college graduate with an M.A.
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