Tiny ways to survive in a white male dominated field as a women of colour:
1) Call out casual sexism. Call out casual racism. It will slip out of the mouths of white boys who have never been challenged before. Don’t accept it.
2) Befriend the women of colour in your field. Love them for the amazing people they are. Share memes to make them laugh. Support each other because no-one else will. Find mentors, then be a mentor.
3) Do not let white women belittle your struggle or tell you that it doesn’t exist. They won’t understand, but you should take the time to explain your position, your values and where you come from. They might learn something from you.
4) Don’t beat yourself up because you didn’t have extra maths classes or coding workshops or an uncle who works in the field or any of the other tiny things that puts privileged boys ahead. Do your best.
5) Ask questions. I know it’s intimidating, but speak to your professors. It might be the first time they’ve ever interacted with someone like you, and they can be surprisingly kind and respectful. Develop relationships that will be mutually beneficial.
6) Enter the spaces that scare you. Visit them until you feel at home there. Being physically present in the libraries and labs will make it easier for other people of colour to enter those spaces. You belong there as much as the white people around you.
7) Learn about the women of colour who came before you. Their contributions to your field have been of utmost importance, but their names may have been erased. Find out about them. Be inspired. Keep them in your heart.
8) It’s okay to falter. You don’t always have to be strong. You don’t always have to be brave. Sometimes, you’ll keep quiet when someone says something so utterly offensive you’ll have no idea how to respond. It’s tiring to repeat yourself to deaf ears. Rest and be kind to yourself.
