AVE Column “Small but Not Really” #2: how do I survive in an academic world that denies racism?
Small but Not Really is a new column hosted by AVE, where we will try to help address your dilemmas about living as Asians in Europe. To kick things off, we’re sharing a query sent in by one of our own members. Do you have some helpful advice for them? Simply respond to this email and share your thoughts.
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Dear all,
Today’s Small But Not Really story takes place in the academic world. Details have been changed to protect the identities of the people involved. Thank you for sharing your story.
I want to talk about a disappointing experience I had during a week intended to help researchers at different seniority levels meet and discuss future research ideas. For those who might not be familiar with the academic world, senior researchers usually serve as role models. They share their experience and knowledge, and guide us juniors on how to navigate academia, which can seem daunting, especially for those who are racialized. At the writing week, I was excited to spot A, a highly regarded Asian senior scholar.
I approached him, and asked his thoughts on being one of the few racialized academics in Europe. In a defensive tone, he responded: “Actually, I never had racist experiences. People think I’m good at stuff like math because I’m Asian and since I am good at math, I even like that they say that.” I told him that while that may be true, it didn’t negate the fact that Asian researchers continue to be overlooked, stereotyped against and boxed into certain categories or tasks.
A didn’t seem to know what to say to my comments, and called over B, one of my junior fellows, apparently to try and prove his point that anti-Asian racism does not exist. B, a White male researcher, took my side but felt very unsure on how to position himself in this conversation. A seemed to be unhappy about the way the conversation was unfolding, and went on to say to me “You’re being naive. Racist people don’t change”, and shared that he used to feel the same frustration and drive for change when experiencing racist experiences in the past. “But I’ve come to terms with it! Once you are fully developed, you will too, and cease this fruitless agenda”.
His comments were disheartening, but I’m more concerned about the structural implications of this conversation. A has internalized racism and adapted to this racist academic system by ‘assimilating’ as a survival strategy. He wouldn’t be the first one and it’s seemingly helped him climb up the academic ladder.
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The problem lies in that A is now in a position of power, and one of the few racialized academics in my research field, in Europe. People at the top of the ivory tower have the resources and influence to shape scientific discourse, political developments, community advocacy! People listen to senior researchers. Directly or indirectly, A will be influencing the students he teaches, mentors, and the scholars he collaborates with. If he continues to stand behind his belief that “there is no racism against Asians”, it creates a climate where younger Asian researchers feel like they cannot speak up about their experiences of racism. They might feel they should just accept racist experiences as a toll to pay on their way to publishing papers, receiving grants, and becoming tenured. This silence and lack of solidarity reproduces the racist system and White norm. Not to mention that A’s stance may be used by White researchers and managers in academia to say he represents the wider views of Asian researchers, and use it against racialized scholars.
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Despite this experience, I’m still hopeful. I know that A is just one of many other Asian and other racialized researchers. I believe in our agency and our collective solidarity in wanting to build a better academic system for the future, even if it feels like we’re alone at times. If you’re a fellow academic, don’t feel discouraged when people lack solidarity and dismiss what you fight for, especially when they are fellow Asians or people you don’t expect it from. There will always be someone who dismisses your standpoint, but at the same time there will always be someone supporting your cause and seeing the necessity of activism. When something similar happens to you, talk to friends, colleagues and allies and take it as your motivation to become a role model whom you would have loved to meet.
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Small but Not Really is a new column hosted by AVE, where we share solutions to dilemmas about living as Asians in Europe, small and big alike. We will review all submissions, and ask that you refrain from sharing sensitive personal information (about you or anyone else). AVE retains the right to edit names, places, and other personally identifying information for publication. The focus of this column is to collectively brainstorm and share ways to deal with microaggressions and everyday racism, with the hope that it may also help other readers. This is not a platform for venting your feelings, or naming and shaming others. Please note that we will address selected stories from the perspective of fellow Asians who may have similar experiences and have lived in Europe for various amounts of time, not from the perspective of professionals in psychology, law, etc.
Author: Boba
Editor: Jiye
Image: Leh
