A couple months ago a woman of color colleague posted a pro tip on social media stating that if you want labor from women of color be sure to give credit where credit is due. I had a gut reaction as years of my own pathway through higher education ignited in my brain. My memory produced sparks of times I requested the labor of women of color and explosions of times I took their labor for granted.
“Can I meet with you on my time because I am so busy?” Yet, I chose not to acknowledge that you have an academic and social life and were mostly likely at capacity.
“Can I meet with you for feedback on paper?” Yet, you were not the professor for the class.
“Can I meet with you for feedback on my application?” Yet, I never asked you to write a letter of recommendation for me.
“Can I meet with you for feedback on my proposal?” Yet, I never put you on my committee.
Even worse some of these were last minute requests.
The entitlement of not knowing, what I did not know is unsettling. Until I would receive similar requests in starting my own career.
