Degrees of Difference: Reflections of Women of Color on Graduate School

by Kimberly D. McKee (Editor), Denise A. Delgado (Editor)

University commitments to diversity and inclusivity have yet to translate into support for women of color graduate students. Sexism, classism, homophobia, racial microaggressions, alienation, disillusionment, a lack of institutional and departmental support, limited help from family and partners, imposter syndrome, narrow reading lists—all remain commonplace. Indifference to the struggles of women of color in graduate school and widespread dismissal of their work further poisons an atmosphere that suffocates not only ambition but a person's quality of life. In Degrees of Difference, women of color from diverse backgrounds give frank, unapologetic accounts of their battles—both internal and external—to navigate grad school and fulfill their ambitions. At the same time, the authors offer strategies for surviving the grind via stories of their own hard-won successes with self-care, building supportive communities, finding like-minded mentors, and resisting racism and unsupportive faculty and colleagues.

Contributors: Aeriel A. Ashlee, Denise A. Delgado, Nwadiogo I. Ejiogu, Delia Fernández, Regina Emily Idoate, Karen J. Leong, Kimberly D. McKee, Délice Mugabo, Carrie Sampson, Arianna Taboada, Jenny Heijun Wills, and Soha Youssef

Genres: Education, Grad School

232 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2020

Reviews

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I'm an AFAB first-generation American entering grad school this coming fall, so I was thinking that my experiences would align with the authors. My parents are East Asian and Arab and I was worried those narratives wouldn't be included. However, they were! And the editors addressed this very specifically - they note that Asian women are often excluded from the category of WOC in statistics, highlighting the erasures of Asian and Asian American women as a result of the model minority stereotype. The editors are Asian American and Chicana so they're not working off a black/white race binary, which I thought was going to be the case when I saw the book cover.
The book itself is a collection of personal narratives/essays from authors of varying backgrounds seeking to validate the experiences of WOC in graduate school and to advise those in similar circumstances.
I personally didn't relate to most of the experiences, but I'm still glad I read them. The editors noted that they were unsuccessful in getting contributions from WOC in STEM. This is understandable but I think I would've gotten a lot more out of the collection if there were essays from that perspective. I ultimately didn't find any pieces all that useful or revolutionary, but I did appreciate learning about a variety of perspectives. I hope it marks the beginning of publishing more stories from people from even more varied backgrounds and fields. I thought the writing styles of the essays were okay, and found the introduction and epilogue to be very repetitive. And a personal gripe: endnotes instead of footnotes :((
I'd recommend this for anyone looking to hear multiple experiences from historically marginalized people in higher education.

[Clazzzer C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book worth writing, and is certainly one worth reading. It contains frank and honest accounts of the struggles women of colour encountered as they strived to earn themselves an education. Everyone must work hard to achieve degrees, masters and doctorates but these students encountered so many more battles along the way, many many more than I could ever envision in my middle class white upbringing. They encountered classism, racism, sexism through their journeys but rather than develop defeatist attitudes and bail at the first hurdle, these obstacles made them stronger. They gravitated towards likeminded individuals and developed a resilience that pushed them through, and up higher on the ladder to success. I applaud these women and am in awe of their paths. May they be forever successful in all that they encounter. This is a book that will inspire all.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the perfect book for any Women of Color to read before entering graduate schools. The essays provide practical real-world advice as well as anecdotes and words of support and encouragement from women who have successfully navigated the process. As graduation season approaches this is the perfect gift for any young woman of color headed to graduate school this fall. For those currently enrolled this book offers advice and hope for continuing to push through the trials and tribulations that accompany navigating the microaggressions that are hidden throughout academia.

[Christopher Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding title that should find its way into the hands of anyone involved with grad school education and, specifically, the indigenous women and women of color that must navigate the system. Read my full review here: https://thechrisgonzalez.com/degrees-...

[LimeCream · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative. I would have no hesitation in recommending this well written book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully informative book! I highly recommend it as a great resource for degreed women who may find the wealth of information provided useful and beneficial.