CHAPTER 25: UNDERSTANDING THE MISSION OF THIS WORK: How R.A.C.E. Mentoring Saved My Life

He looked at the nametag on her jacket, shiny as a brand new penny, worn on the first day of the job. “I know your name is Dr.____, but I don’t believe in titles, so I’m just gonna call you ____.” She smiled squarely and said, “That’s fine. I happen to like my name.” Meanwhile, within earshot, he earnestly called a White colleague by his full professional title. She would experience many more macro and microaggression occurrences within her first ninety days on the job. She kept repeating over and over, “I can do this,” and “I am here for a reason,” and “Someone will show me the way.” Well, that someone did show up in the guise of a White, female full professor who was eager to show the “new girl” the ropes. The challenge was that her experiences were so disjointed that she still did not feel as if she belonged. Coupled with being presumed incompetent by colleagues, it was enough to make her want to throw in the towel. No one to commiserate with, no one with whom she could informally code-switch, or even discuss the challenges of the day. Who would she turn to?