Many opponents of affirmative action argue loudly and unflinchingly
that race should no longer matter in the academy and that preferential
treatment for scholars of color is divisive and unconstitutional.
Somebody in the academy needs to shout, “Amen! Let’s stop the
preferential treatment.” But the kind of preferential treatment of
which we speak results in a disadvantaged status for scholars.
This issue has received little attention in the national discourse,
but in the spirit of President Bill Clinton’s national dialogue on
race, let’s talk. The following are five examples of
“not-so-preferential treatment” experienced by scholars of color:
“Am I Invisible, or What?”: Scholars of color are often denied
validation by their White peers. Statements like, “John made an
excellent point,” or “Building on Mary’s previous statement,”
particularly when spoken by leaders and influential members of the
institution, would serve to elevate and promote less powerful
participants.
In discussions, comments offered by minority scholars are
frequently met with eerie silence or blank stares. After the silence,
conversation continues as though nothing has been said by the scholar
of color. Not infrequently, the same comment that was ignored will
later be repeated by a White participant and receive laudatory comments.
Sadly, this pattern can also be found in scholarly journals, where
professors of color are seldom mentioned as the voice of authority or
wisdom and are infrequently cited.
Smiles that Lie: Perhaps out of fear of being accused of
insensitivity, many White colleagues will avoid giving junior
professors of color — and even their graduate students of color —
honest, helpful, and supportive feedback that will assist them to gain
tenure and status in the academy.
