Presumed Incompetent: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia

Abstract

Presumed Incompetent is a pathbreaking account of the intersecting roles of race, gender, and class in the working lives of women faculty of color. Through personal narratives and qualitative empirical studies, more than 40 authors expose the daunting challenges faced by academic women of color as they navigate the often hostile terrain of higher education, including hiring, promotion, tenure, and relations with students, colleagues, and administrators. One of the topics addressed is the importance of forging supportive networks to transform the workplace and create a more hospitable environment for traditionally subordinated groups. The narratives are filled with wit, wisdom, and concrete recommendations, and provide a window into the struggles of professional women in a racially stratified but increasingly multicultural America. The downloadable document contains the Introduction to Presumed Incompetent co-authored by Angela P. Harris and Carmen G. Gonzalez.

Keywords: higher education, faculty, critical race theory, feminist theory, gender, race, class, sexuality, intersectionality, stereotyping, tokenism, inequality, women of color, unconscious bias, identity, neoliberalism, corporatization, affirmative action, discrimination, tenure

JEL Classification: J7, I24, J115, J116