It's Day 2 of the #ShowMeTellMe Weekend Today we're sharing our experiences of being #BlackinArtsnHums .

My journey to Literature (PhD) has stories of systemic racism, imposter syndrome, feeling like the odd one out & some astonishing highs/opportunities
#ShowMeTellMe https://twitter.com/BlackInArtsHums/status/1309775098035961856

When I was younger my parents were really worried about me. I had a speech delay, social anxiety & was below the academic level of my age group.

I would always speak to others via my twin sister, Rianna (the extrovert )

I am also #BlackAndDisabled , I have Rheumatoid Arthritis & CRPS & as a young Black child I was often told that I was exaggerating my pain and that I could bear it. I had always loved literature and would often write how I was feeling (poetry, short narratives)

In secondary school everything changed. I went from being below average academically to well above, I was moved from top set in Literature & Art (GCSE) to the gifted & talented class.

For Literature I was given the opportunity to do AS LEVEL a yr early alongside my 11 GCSEs.

I received many A's/A*s for my GCSEs & got into a great sixth form.

It was there, though, that I experienced my first battle with racism & bias in academica from a teacher. I had done AS level Eng Lit in school, so was immediately put in the A2 eng lit class with older students.

I was told: "people like you" should "stay in your lane." This said teacher would frown upon my wanting to discuss race in certain texts & marked my essays with grades I've never seen in my life!!

I raised a complaint which inspired an investigation

I was now failing in Eng Lit A2. In the meantime for raising the flag, my in-class assignments were being remarked by other teachers all came back as A or above.

Mysteriously the teacher "retired" a week later.

I'm going to pause a bring attention to my favourite book when I was younger (Kite Runner by @khaledhosseini) & favourite book now (BONW by @MarlonJames5)!

Anyways, let's resume
Other bad experiences include never having a Black teacher, being the only Black student often, feeling imposter syndrome (not looking/dressing like a "typical PhD student", seeing terrible stats when working in EDI groups...

Here's me speaking at a @LeadingRoutes event about the necessity to fight the stigma of the Arts and Humanities in the Black community.

Must be said I've had MANY highs

I am very grateful to be apart of @ACRC_UK. I've spoken at awesome conferences since starting my PhD, featured in a doc, its taken me across the sea, i've had book offers & I receive funding & great supervision (shout out @DanielleCSands)

Absolutely loving my PhD, though it gets really rough and difficult sometimes it's bought wonderful opportunities and great joy into my life!

P.s sorry for the long thread
#ShowMeTellMe #BlackinArtsnHums