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Some people might not get the barber thing. Some might get that it's really not about the barber, but about being around people with knowledge of yourself and culture.
People might think it's not the university/institution's fault.
Let me say something.
People might think it's not the university/institution's fault.
Let me say something.
1. When I become a PI, I'm sending my black students a packet with names of barbers and hairdressers. Doing the same for brown, latino/a, asian, gay, bi, trans students, etc -- I'm sending them information about where to find their communities; I'm sending them resources.
2. I am finding a black barber to come on campus to cut the black male students' hair once a month and finding a way to subsidize it.
3. I am going to suggest that all my students consider therapy, just to talk about grad experiences if they want. I am going to advocate for having therapists who look like them and if not, I'm looking into how to get this funded for them to go outside of university counseling.
4. I am having weekly or bi-weekly events intended to support my minoritized students, for passing on information, for creating community amongst themselves etc. Why? If they're coming into certain unfamiliar environments, they need goodness to offset it.
5. This is how you actually become more inclusive. But, most professors don't even spare a second thought for this because it's really not their experiences.
6. So, is it the institution's fault? Who knows. But, there are things each and every one of you can do. Let me go finish these papers....
