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 
Very little to add except to say that, as an “academic”, I applaud and support you. Your words are your own, and always will be.
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I have been where you are … however, I do something “entirely” different than simply accept a professor’s comment on my paper …. here’s what I do … I “challenge” the professor to clarify the reason for his or her statement on my paper …. I make no attempt to change it because it is my paper and I wrote it…. I provide reason’s and evidence for my statements … the word “Hence” belongs to no one … it is a word of the English language …. My advise is this … “Don’t give anyone permission to validate you” … its not their place to validate you … its your place to validate yourself…. Giving a professor permission to say “you are worthy” to be acknowledged is giving another human being just like yourself too much emotional power … Take it back and retain that power for yourself … 🙂
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I have no idea how terrible it must feel to be disregarded and unappreciated in such a disdainful way. I got angry, when I read what you experienced. I know from this article that you are a strong person who will persevere regardless of anything. I wanted however, to let you know that I (the person hiding behind this profile and this picture, in a country miles away) root for you. I hope you accomplish anything and everything you aspire for, and prove them all wrong. One day this professor will see you speak on some big, important event gathering scholars from all around the world and maybe he will see that brilliance and intelligence are not in any way resembled by our skin or background or culture, but by our actions and accomplishments. Be brave and stay strong. The path that you are on is not going to be an easy one, but at the end you will be more rewarded and experienced then anyone. I’m glad you shared your pain here, I’m glad I got to read about it, if only to be able to get a glimpse of a life that is different then mine and to be able to let you know, that I believe in you, though I don’t know you personally and maybe it’s meaningless… But perhaps a word of support will help you feel better and give you a boost.
Don’t give up! I’m looking forward to hearing about you in the future! You will accomplish great things and put all who doubted you to shame!
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Hi!
I was an University teacher (r) during more than 30 years, at University of Chile. I would never thought or said such a thing to a student, because of its origin!! A shame of that ‘professor’… May be, who knows? If you would be a male would he said the same?
Keep with all your strenght Tiffany!
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My dad used to refer to people like your professor as “college-educated idiots.”
Seriously, the word “hence” is pretty common among college seniors. Even 10th-graders would use that word in their essays…
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Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
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As a father to 2 girls… both with degrees… I am so proud of all your accomplishments… this my dear will be your stepping stone and calling in life…. continue the fight for equality amongst minority eeducators …. palante….
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Tell your professor that you received a comment from someone with a BA in social work, who uses the word “hence” like you.
The difference is, I am born & live in DENMARK, making English my second language (and not native).
Why shouldn’t a new yorker use that work then?
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Before I make a firm judgement, I would need to read the paper.
Based on the with style of this essay, “hence” doesn’t easily fit into your written vernacular.
Further, as a 43yo, black, PhD student (education), I will say you have really drawn some illogical conclusions about your professor’s assessment of your writing style fully based on your emotional reaction. What documented proof do you have to support your hypothesis? In what ways can this information be validated?
Emotional response is often a wonderful trigger for scientific exploration, but should never alone be used as empirical data to support our personal assumptions.
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Your an idiot Sir.
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You’re
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If you’re going to insult someone, at least use the correct “you’re”. /:
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What a brainwashed retard you are…wow
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Lolol.
“Before I make a firm judgement, I would need to read the paper”, but I’m going to contradict my opening statement anyway, and make a judgement regardless. I will tear down your lack of empirical data, using my personal assumptions, which are backed by no data whatsoever, further contradicting myself. And to top it all off, I’m going to pretend to be a PhD student in an attempt to legitimize my baseless assumptions, because I feel empowered when I tear down strangers on the internet.
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This. By the way, if anyone says that “This.” Is not proper grammar I will kill myself
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Crabs in a bucket. It never ends.
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I’m surprised a Ph.D. student in education wouldn’t know the difference between a personal essay and an academic paper. Or that it’s the professor’s job to prove plagiarism, not the student’s to attempt the impossible task of proving a negative.
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At least now you are more open to the failings of people in positions of power. Has your professor been provided with a link to this? I am highly curious to know what happens – hopefully he will have his mind expanded and come to a change of heart! I am so encouraged by your preserverence, and I know I’m not the only one. I am excited for you future students! The world of academia needs you!
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Having PhD behind a name doesn’t make them smart, it just makes them educated. I had to learn this the hard way myself so keep your chin up, and let it drive your determination.
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Dear Tiffany- I think it was extremely important that you shared your story with the world. Thank you for doing so. I am horrified that you were treated this way. As a Caucasian who has been part of a family of academics, it is embarrassing to hear that any student should have to endure that type of humiliation and lack of respect. Your words are powerful and leave NO doubt that you will accomplish anything you set out to do. Many blessings on your journey. I hope you NEVER have to deal with that kind of racism or sexism again. Sadly, I know it happens all too often. Regards, Beth
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I am an academic. I know the struggle to be accepted when you are different (can older woman, disabled,in IT, luckily, only a few people have looked at me like I don’t belong). I can assure you that you have what it takes – your passion, your commitment to excellence – all those are necessary. You keep going, and don’t let this incident hold you back!
Academics are human too – and while I like to believe my colleagues are all marvellous, sometimes they won’t be. We make mistakes. It seems obvious that your lecturer blew it, but I can only hope it is due to some unforeseen issue causing them to make such a grave mistake!
I also say that I wish I had more students with your passion for learning:)
I hope to see you published and thriving in the future – I look forward to seeing your future career as my colleague in academia blossom and flourish:)
Romana
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What happened next? HI hope you will update us all! I hope your professor’s mind opens. It is worrisome that curmudgeons so often rule in academia.
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your professor is a dick, hence you felt both disrespected and invalidated…
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Reblogged this on My Corner of the World and commented:
The original blog in which inspired me to write about my own experiences
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I just wanted to tell you to never let the bastards get you down. First of all, you are obviously very intelligent. For some reason, it is difficult, in general, for people to not automatically judge other people based on things such as age, gender, ethnic group, etc. I believe this grouping effort traces back to sociological and psychological attempts to simplify the world around us. There are those rare individuals that know, or eventually realize, that people cannot be bundled so easily. I could go on and on, but my point is that you should never let anyone that is supposedly smarter than you (maybe because they have a higher degree or more experience) make you doubt yourself; however, WHEN you achieve your goal of becoming a university professor, do not be as arrogant as some of your former professors. No one is infallible. Even those with a PhD. I hope my message makes sense.
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Well said!
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Thank you for sharing your story.
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I got so angry when I read the article about you on Buzz Feed. This professor has no manners, to say the least. Who is s/he to say that’s not your word? Enough already!
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I understand your pain and assume you feel humiliated after that incident, but I wouldn’t go so far to assume it’s because of your heritage, origin, and last name. Maybe by “this is not your word” professor tried to imply it’s not the word you usually use in your writing or that essay you submitted wasn’t your usual style of writing. To most professors it’s a huge indicator that someone copied or paid someone else, and they think that everyone’s doing it. I’m just trying to say, there are two sides to every story and I wouldn’t rush to accuse someone for something they didn’t even intend to do. Maybe you should have went to the professor’s office and have an honest conversation, tried to work things out and see what they really meant.
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For crying out loud, the word is “hence”. And the proper grammatical construction is “maybe you should have gone”. You have no idea how sick and tired we feel about this BS. A lot of people assume dark skinned people are not smart.
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I would never assume dark-skinned people aren’t smart. That’s a harsh thing to say. I, simply, tried to imply that maybe professor didn’t mean it that way, but didn’t express him/herself properly. Who knows.
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The professor could have also spoken to her in private about his concerns.
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Amra, I disagree with you, but I respect your point. There is more than what the professor wrote in the paper (“not your word”), it is the way he/she humiliated the student in front of the class. Faculty are hired to educate — yes, manners and example included — not to hurt or diminish. It is the professor who should make the invitation to his/her office to “work things out”, not the student. The school should seriously consider the renewal of the professor’s contract.
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Be cool dont be coolo
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Reblogged this on Being Kaylee and commented:
Wow!
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When she comments in her blog “her people”, in her own mind she separates herself…..exactly, why are people like this, she already has the mindset of being excluded. So it’s easy for her to find ways that she “feels” oppressed…..I’m so tired of hearing about everybody’s “feelings”….feelings can never hurt you, you feel hot, you feel cold, you feel sad, you feel happy….. only if YOU let them….
You can choose to sit in a room and have you “feelings” hurt, or you can go out and face the world and prove them wrong!
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You hav the mindset that she she already has the mindset of being excluded.
Do you read minds? What university did you learn that in?
You should probably do some reflecting on what you are facing, in your comment above, and what you’re not acknowledging, before you go anywhere and give your unsolicited advice, in subjects that you do not know or understand.
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Feelings are always valid. How dare you discount someone else’s experiences and feelings. Focusing on the fact that she is using language such as “her people”–as if that is what separates or excludes is not an argument it is simply i
ignoring the true issue here. This reflective piece brings up an important and largely silenced perspective. Your commentary however is adding to that dominant narrative by attempting to call her out on “feelings” and “excluding herself”. You know how this sounds? It reminds me of bigoted, arrogant, privileged, arguments throughout the years: why do people of color need to come to our schools? Well it was only 20 minutes of pleasure–should that ruin my son Brock’s life? Why do these people care so much about their “sacred” lands? Can’t you do what we I and pull yourself up by your own bootstraps?
So sick of people making arguments like this about voices and perspectives they don’t share. Good luck omitting your VALID feelings from your response to this.
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That is white privilege you speak from “you’re tired of hearing everybody’s feelings ” is the very oppressive language she wrote about. You don’t know what it’s like to be Latino yet you dismiss her experiences with institutionalized racism without any thought. The white race in this country suppresses and oppresses people of color every minute of every day. Dismissive comments like this are part of that oppressive language
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We have a mansplainer in the room. Who the fuck do you think you are?
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I’m a feminist, but this discussion is not about gender politics or discrimination, it’s about racial and socioeconomic prejudice. Men are allowed to have a voice in such matters (in ALL matters) without being undermined by ad hominem attacks of “mansplaining”. You’re pulling the same bullying that we feminists have been decrying for centuries. Knock it off–who do you think you are?
And by the way, the “Ellen Jamesians” were meant to be a satire of radical feminism gone awry. The entire book was about the dimunition and devaluation of men by radical second wave feminists. Kind of ironic that it’s your pseudonym.
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Phil, what you are feeling is “White Fragility”
http://www.alternet.org/culture/why-white-people-freak-out-when-theyre-called-out-about-race
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This is the silliest thing I’ve read today – “feelings can never hurt you”? Are you joking? What do you base that marvellous piece of information on? Your deep understanding of the old yapping about sticks and stones? How about, before you try to explain things you have absolutely no knowledge about the next time, you actually do a bit of reading up on psychology. Because, as you might be awed to learn – feeling can actually hurt you tremendously and frankly, I find it embarrassing that you don’t know that.
Furthermore, “feeling” hot or cold can of course also hurt you. Did you ever stop to think about what you were actually writing? Or are you one of those people who never really analyse anything, but are far too busy enjoying the sound of your own voice to actually think about what it is you’re saying, and whether or not there’s any sense in it?
Finally, the circumstance that she is excluded is a fact – do you know what facts are? If not, try to read up on that as well. The amount of evidence that proves the state of racist and classist exclusion is so vast that I’m ashamed for you, displaying your lack of knowledge and understanding claiming that it’s a matter of personal perception, rather than proven societal structure.
Now, you can choose to wander about spouting ignorant babble, in order to preserve the status quo, or you can go out and educate yourself!
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Phil, I understand what you’re saying. I teach in a predominately white area and am white myself. Many of my students don’t feel they are biased toward other races, but the issue Tiffany brings up is not 1960s Jim Crow laws; it’s ingrained racial bias that most of us don’t realize we have because it’s subconscious. She uses language like “our people” because there has not been a space in the larger white majority for people of color for a very, very long time. “They” have been separated just by the way we think. You see it in movies, politics, and in everyday people. What makes it so hard to swallow is that it’s not blatant or intentional (many times). However, unintentional thoughts and actions can still be wrong.
Additionally, feeling things that are hot or cold is different than one’s emotions. Physical feelings are not the same as emotional feelings. You yourself feel tired of these sort of accusations; you are both speaking of your personal experiences and the effect they have on you.
Lastly, her credentials and determination to achieve her dreams show that she IS trying to prove them wrong. You can both express your feelings AND achieve your goals.
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Phil, how amazing it must be to feel so privileged that nothing can hurt you
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Oh wow. This is so ignorant. Did you even read the article? She is working harder, she is facing a harder world than you ever will, she is proving to the world every day that she is an academic and you will never know what it’s like to be in her shoes. After this long, she should not have to prove that she didn’t plagiarize her own words. She’s not being over emotional or whatever you’re trying to imply, she’s sick of being invalidated as a scholar because she’s a female minority.
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Um – she’s been accused of plagiarism. It will impact her grade, which could conceivably impact her GPA. It has a real world impact, so please cut the blame the victim crap that you’re trying to vomit into this. And what the hell do you mean “feelings can never hurt you?” That doesn’t even make sense. It’s not her feelings accusing her of plagiarism.
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Thanks for sharing that you feel tired of hearing about everybody’s feelings.
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Have faith in your own best self and keep your focus centered there. Please keep speaking up when faced with wrongs. We need you.
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Respectfully Ellen, let’s not call this mansplaining. That would be a man invalidating a woman’s feelings or opinions based on gender. This could have easily come from a woman (though it didn’t), and it is about race. Granted it is the same type of effect as mansplaining; and I am quite shocked that Phil isn’t acknowledging how absurd it is that a teacher could tell some one “this is not your word” and humiliate a student in front of her peers.
For me this is another example that shows that I will never completely know all the struggles that other people go through. Thank you for sharing, I wish you much encouragement to keep doing what you’ve been doing.
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People like us will continue to fight the labels forced upon us by society. Your story moved me so much. I found myself feeling discourage by my GRE score. Then, I realized that the test is not made for people like me and I will have to work twice as hard. With a full time job and a toddler to care for, I have little time to dedicate to this test. Again, I’m reminded that this test is made for people who have the resources and time to spend on “beating the test.” I’m grew up undocumented an attended a university which I was not prepared for. Today, I dragged the shadow of the broken education system, which held me hostage for many years. I’m reminded of the lack of opportunity and expectations from my teachers from early on. I lack serious math and English skills which is painful to admit. But as I sat here reading your words- I felt a sense of belonging and pain. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Please know that you are not alone. I have a Master of Arts degree in English and Communications, A Master of Fine Arts degree in Dramatic Criticism and Theory. I have been an instructor/assistant professor in higher education for 40 years, I am an African American. When I applied for a job as an English instructor almost thirty years ago, I interviewed with the Department Chair, department faculty representative, the Union Representative, the President of the College and the Chancellor of the University system. I didn’t mind; however, after being hired, I was informed that the usual procedure was to meet with the Department Chair, faculty representative and union representative. That upon the recommendation of the department representative and union representative, the Department Chair could hire faculty. I wondered WHY I had to meet all these people, when this was not protocol. I was later informed that because I was an African American and because I had applied to be an English instructor, they wanted to make sure that I could write and speak PROPER English…..but they meant STANDARD ENGLISH!
On another occasion I was hired at a University and asked to teach a British Literature since no one was available to teach it. The Department Chair informed me that he DID NOT feel confident that I was qualified to teach it. He needed someone with at least 18 hours in British Literature to teach that class. I reminded him that I had MORE than 18 hours in British Literature. I asked had he reviewed my academic transcripts? His response, ” I just don’t feel comfortable with you teaching this course! I’m hiring someone from University of Chicago to come in and teach it!” The implication, an African American could NOT possibly teach “British Literature”.
These are examples of prejudice, discrimination and bias in academia. Regardless that your degrees may come from predominantly white universities, regardless that you have a 4.00, that you have received national and international awards, that you have received fellowships and scholarships, graduated 1st in your department in graduate school, that you have been awarded Teacher of the Year twice and Colleague of the year or that you belong to professional organizations and that you have published in the most prestigious academic journals, when many in academia look at you, all they will see is a Latina immigrant, even though you are a U. S. citizen. If I went to Oxford and received a doctorate in British Literature, I would not have been allowed to teach that course because in the minds of many bigoted educators, African Americans CANNOT be trusted to write or speak STANDARD English nor adequately present and interpret BRITISH LITERATURE. HENCE, it is a bias in academia that many of us must tolerate. For every job I have ever secured, I have had to be doubly qualified to receive it. If a Masters degree was required, I had two; if four years’ experience was required, I had eight; if at least two national teaching awards was required, I had received four; if three publications in scholarly journals was required, I had six. Sometimes academia reflects the bias of the society. It is ironic since higher education is SUPPOSED to be the pinnacle of objectivity and free thought, but isn’t.
Presently, you cannot change this trend; however, you can be proud of the fact that you have excelled, that you are more qualified and that you are BETT ER than most students and applicants. My satisfaction comes in the fact that I am BETTER in credentials, in skill, in talent and in knowledge, whether it is acknowledged or not. Be PROUD! In reality, the only opinion of yourself that matters is yours……
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P. S. I also have thirty hours towards a doctorate……
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I’m so sorry this happened to you. I know how hurtful it is because I’ve had it happen to me numerous times over the course of my lifetime — and I am now a senior! I wish this type of occurrence was limited to academic circles. Unfortunately, you’re going to encounter it in many arenas of life. I hope things change. In the meantime, keep writing. Keep your head up. Don’t let the pain stop you. Use it to make you stronger and more determined to prove the doubters wrong. When you reach your goal, you will be in a position to help others. Good luck to you!
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Here’s something anyone in your situation needs to keep in mind: some people are so small-minded that the only way they can make themselves look bigger is to belittle those around them. When you get notes like that on your paper, it’s not your intelligence you should question, but his. Is his mind so tiny that he can’t fathom the possibility of someone who looks or talks differently from himself being…smart?
I am a conservative white male. In the minds of some (many, actually), that makes me a racist. People are not willing to listen to anything I say simply because they’ve already stamped “racist” on my forehead and put me in a box. And that’s sad, because there are so many of us (and I don’t just mean white conservative males) who have extremely relevant things to add to the cultural discussion. You seem like a fine example of someone who has worked very hard to get where you are, and I admire your courage and tenacity. Keep up the good work; you’re going places!
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Tiffany, I am so sorry you experienced this “in your face” bias. I pray for you to have the emotional and physical energy to persevere and to confront these attitudes where you find them. Thanks for sharing your painful story so that we would not be ignorant about what goes on in academia.
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Please turn some of the hurt into angry determination. Show them, show them, show them! You are exceptional.
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I hope you asked/demanded to see proof with the accusation. accusation like these are very serious. generally universities even use automated programs(OCR/database comparisons) to discover plagiarism. its rarely done by hand nowadays. I doubt an algorithm would single out hence, so you could have a case here about an unfair accusation.
Though for your own sanity, you dont necesarily have to assume it was racially biased. theres plausible deniability.
If he simply accused you without proof, its still on him to provide the reasoning/proof
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Why do you think that there is a reason for the teacher’s accusation other than racial bias? Why do you suggest that would be kinder to this student’s “sanity”?
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Publicly accusing you of plagiarism in front of other students is a violation of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) — you should file a FERPA complaint against the professor with your university. Even if you had actually committed plagiarism it would still be a violation of your privacy to discuss that in front of the rest of the class. You should also ask the professor for his evidence — a prof can’t accuse someone of plagiarism without being able to show the source the plagiarism supposedly came from….
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So well said…
What happened though? Did you call her out? Did you file a complaint? What was the outcome? Will you write an add on piece to this? I would love to see the part where you set the professor straight and asked where exactly you plagiarized from, considering most accusations like that are not taken lightly. They should be able to cite the source, if they are so bold as to try discredit you in front of the entire class!
Hopefully you will get your “Boom!” *drops mic* moment…you’ve done it here very well, but I wish that professor and class got to witness the same! ❤
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Keep it up – you write beautifully. Your voice is important and helpful. You are strong and whatever happens you will bring this personal power to the table. I cannot stand that this sort of thing happens.
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Thanks for sharing this and I´m sorry it happened to you. As somebody else posted, we would like to know the name of the professor who did this to you.
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Reblogged this on Academic English Editing and Proofreading Service.
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Keep your head up young strong woman,and do not allow anyone tell you that you are not a great writer. To accuse you of plagiarism is simply ridiculous,and he needs to be reprimanded for his stupidity. I do understand what you are feeling,and I too,went through a similar situation where I know I wrote what was written,but was scolded and made to feel inadequate for my intelligence.It’s these sort of people who get a piece of paper saying that they are more superior to anyone else in the world, and the rest of the world can go to heck. I really wish that could be a better way for for students such as yourself,and other races,to get what is deserved of,..and yes in Academia. Keep strong your writing abilities,and make your mark on the world. I strongly support you!!!
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So sad. Have you read “Multiculturalism, Or, the Cultural Logic of Multinational Capitalism” by Slavoj Zizek?
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Take a more adult way to address this, your professor automatically assumed you plagiarized because you used a word that he assumes you would not use. however like the professor you ASSUMED it was racially based. did you discuss this with your professor before asking the world to judge this issue? I can only assume no because had you done so your professor may have been able to justify his claim, no instead you throw all your laurels on the floor and assume this is race based. you have done exactly what you’re accusing others of. Now the world does not care how this makes you feel, your feelings are your own and if you choose to be offended rather than be informed that also is your choice. but DO NOT blame racism for your own insecurities, we all face issues of prejudice on a daily basis but the difference is most of us rise above instead of letting it define us. Grow from this or not is your choice.
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Your reply would be comical if it wasn’t totally annoying. I pray that one day your eyes, and heart be opened to the truth about racial bias. In fact, her article was significantly more of an “adult” response than yours… perhaps you should refer to her writing for tips on word smithing and how to impactfully convey comprehensive concepts.
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First of all, if you were to ask a professor if they’re singling you out because of their own biases I’m willing to bet that they’ll find some way to justify their behavior. In addition, YOUR assumptions about the poster are way worse than hers about the professor because the professor accused the poster of seriously egregious behavior without any proof and humiliated her in front of the class for no reason. On top of this, you seem to acknowledge that bias exists (“we all face issues of prejudice on a daily basis but the difference is most of us rise above instead of letting it define us.”) but that somehow the onus of responsibility should be only on the aggrieved?!
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Judith, I was going to respond to your comment as eloquently as I could and try to appeal to your sense of decency. Then, I remembered that people like you have no decency, empathy, or introspection whatsoever. When I was younger, I thought I could reach out to people like you but I have grown pessimistic and know that the only way to a more educated and enlightened society is if brave women like Tiffany succeed and try to help others that have been through the same thing. Generations from now, I hope that diversity and inclusion in the academic arena (and everywhere else) will be so commonplace that racism and sexism are things of the past. But right now, we are still in the baby stages when it comes to eliminating racism and sexism. This is the time we live in now whether you like to see it or not. You are making a conscious choice to further demean her and her painful encounter with racism simply because you are ignorant and hateful. Oh, shoot…I forgot… I wasn’t going to try and talk sense into you because you’re never going to change. So, at the risk of sounding brash and anything but eloquent , I’ll just say what I really want to say…..Go Fuck yourself and please don’t have children.
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She is obviously a very good writer. (She even capitalizes the first word of her sentences.) There is absolutely no reason that a professor suspects a good student of plagiarizing without evidence unless they can’t believe that she is actually a good student. In this case, I would bet that the name Martinez is the most likely reason for the professors suspicions.
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Profs MUST provide evidence of the plagiarism with the accusation in all suspected cases no matter the university. It needs to come with the paper and it needs to be done in private. Going above this profs head immediately was the right call, as not just his accusation, but the way it was conducted must be addressed.
Having taught higher education for over a decade I can tell you “this is not your word” absolutely means assumptions were being made about her skill level, that clearly aren’t reflected in her abilities.
This woman has grown up with microwave as soon a and having to defend herself. It starts to become easy to recognize. Stereotype threat and imposter syndrome are absolutely real things that come from growing experiencing such things. You comment is just a different side of the problem.
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Micro-agression got auto corrected to microwave. Woops!
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Take a more adult way to address this, like don’t ever try to tell someone who’s been the victim of racism and classism their whole life that they don’t know what it looks like. Do you perhaps ASSUME we’re stupid? We know what it looks like _and_ we know that pretty much everyone will have an excuse (believable, to them at least) for their own actions, since people love telling themselves they don’t do or say racist/classist/sexist/homophobic etc things.
In the end, comments like yours are just another reflection of how people love to nurture their own ego, telling themselves that they’re calm, rational and fair while they’re actually just working hard to ignore the matter at hand in order to defend the current power structure.
Now, I understand the calling out of white privilege makes you feel threatened, but the world does not care how this makes you feel. Your feelings are your own and if you choose to be offended rather than be informed that also is your choice. However, DO NOT blame those who call out racism for your own insecurities. The fact that you would even try to compare all forms of prejudice as if they were equal, says everything anyone needs to know about your egocentricity and I can tell you it’s not a pretty picture. Now I’ve told you what you need to face to start making a better person of yourself. Grow from this or not – is your choice.
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“Now, I understand the calling out of white privilege makes you feel threatened, but the world does not care how this makes you feel.”
You’re applying the same format of the OP to your response in a ‘clever’ way, but how the hell is this okay to say? The fact that humans continue to perpetuate a separation of treatment means racism will NEVER go away. Treat everyone the same and we are, in essence, the same. How do people not get this? Let me guess though.. you’ll look at my picture and see I’m white and therefore all I say is invalid, right? You’ll assume I don’t deal with prejudices because I’m white as well, I’m sure. You’d also be very wrong.
If we continue on the path we’re on, hatred among different communities will continue to grow and people like you.. people who belittle because of race (it doesn’t matter if that person is white or not) will be the driving factor for such hatred and segregation. Things people can’t control about themselves should NEVER matter. We’re all humans moving among our lives trying to survive and deal with our circumstances the best we can. Being kind to everyone equally should be our goal. Accepting this thought process doesn’t detract from racism that currently exists or excuses it. It doesn’t mean I’m blind to what happens around me either. It just means that I’m not going to look at someone and assume things about them because they are a certain gender, race, weight, etc. If more people adopted that attitude, we’d have less problems.
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Dear Eggwolls, What you say is not invalid. It is in fact an expression of a prevailing narrative. Namely that racism is rooted in individual bigotry born of ignorance and/or taught thinking. Racism is eradicated when such people choose to rid themselves of such bigoted thinking.
It isn’t so much that your thinking is invalid it is that it isn’t supported by the facts. Dominant human thinking and behaviour is dominant precisely because it serves a purpose. An old tutor of mine used to say that the most important question to ask is ‘In whose interest?’
It is an uncomfortable fact but it is in yours and my interest that their is the racism that we have been indoctrinated into. I have less competition in the job market, I am prejudged to be intelligent and capable and nonthreatening. I get more than my share of the worlds wealth. Why would anyone fight to give that up?
That same tutor introduced me to the concept of enlightened self-interest. It is perhaps an article of faith but i believe a racist etc world is unsafe and unsustainable. My privilege is a fools paradise and comes at a cost – and for that there must be a reckoning. Racism also prevents the world from realizing its optimum potential.
Being ‘kind to everyone equally’ is noble but the challenge i put to you is that for every act of kindness you will also act to support the dominant culture in which you find yourself. I will suggest you need to be more than good, you need to be vigilant. Everyday we should call out our own racism and be open to being so called. It may feel a bit ‘that way madness lies’, but don’t be too hard on yourself ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. To think you can opt out of your part in this racist world is simply an expression of the innate superiority you have been deluded into believing. Resist it.
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“we all face issues of prejudice on a daily basis.” Um, no we all don’t. White male checking in. No, I don’t face issues of prejudice every day. Come off it.
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Ars, as a fellow “white male” be aware, if you haven’t already, you soon will face prejudices. As a group, the “White Male” is losing its position as the dominant gender and race. White females are overtaking us in universities and this trend will continue into the workplace as time, unstoppable, flows onward like the Nile during the ancient annual floods. Like the Nile, attempts have been made to control this, but there are always consequences. Additionally, it is no longer only white women that are slowly changing the scenery around us, but all those once considered outsiders, especially women of all cultural backgrounds. I only hope those who takeover the dominant group role remember what it was like to feel oppressed and judged and treat us better than we, as a group, treated them.
I shouldn’t have needed to add the following, but on the Internet, who knows… I make the comment about white males losing their dominant role to women and “minorities” with no malicious intent, it is merely an observation I have seen in my daily life and in articles on population trends in the nation, higher education and workplace.
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Sounds like you’re filled with assumptions your self. How was her response to the hurt she felt not being an adult. She has a relatable story unfortunately, for many of us minorities. That you have had no experience in this particular situation does not make it any less true. I grew up in a very religious family and learn to read at a very young age. It never occurred to me to think about how my speech is seen and heard by others. But when I started Middle School I had some kids that some might call ghetto, ask me why I talk the way I do. And my response was, ” what do you mean, how do I speak?” The reply was I don’t know proper. To this day I remember that comment and my surprise by it because I spoke the way I was raised to speak and didn’t realize that it brought so much attention to me simply because of the color of my skin. That is something that you will probably never be able to relate to, and it’s something that never should have to be related to in the first place. I’m frankly baffled that you can’t at least see the other side to this argument. I imagine if you’ve never experienced something like this it wouldn’t seem like racism to you.
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Reblogged this on Eliane Fersan and commented:
It’s not only race at play here, it’s also misogyny and a bunch of bias and feers!
Viva Tiffany, these should be reasons why you will not quit and why your place in academia will make a difference.
Last night, I had a conversation with female Middle East Scholars who were discribing the misogyny, patriarchy and lack of ethics among the male scholars in the field. How they undermine women, abuse their position to build on others research and work, and ostracize those who are too humble or too proud to make a scene. I am sick of it!
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I think you have a bright future in front of you and I bet some day your future students will benefit from your full range of experiences. Certainly, I would report the incident through the proper channels, as this may be a learning opportunity for your professor too. Words can be powerful in both good and bad ways. These are my words!
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Reblogged this on k8 travels.
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Dear Ms. Martínez, I am a professor (have been for 20 years) and I am appalled by what you describe here. An accusation of plagiarism is something no professor should make lightly. I do not make it unless I can find the work that is being copied. That this professor singled out “hence” as a word that was not in your lexicon — and as evidence of academic dishonesty–reveals not only racial bias but also profound laziness. You know this, of course. But I want to apologize on behalf of the academy and to congratulate you for being a McNair scholar.
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How the Hell would you know there is racial bias?
You can’t make an accusation of plagiarism lightly … but you can ruin someone’s career because you just assume the cause of an accusation was racial.
Shame on you.
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It wouldn’t hurt to know the name of your professor.
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Agree
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Thank you for your openness in sharing your experience. The things that the professor said baffle me because your intelligence and literary skills shine through in this article. While the doubt and hurt these words caused won’t fade quickly, keep persevering. You are not alone.
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