Adem

I was trying to shy away from talking about racism in academia, but I think you are talking out of ignorance. You have no idea what is really happening.

If you have any black academics in your univesity , please talk to them about their experience.

I don't belive there is innate racism in academia, but the glass ceiling is very real for some ethnic minorities

Goods have you noticed that only two asian people have answered my question. The Asian community take education very seriously, wheras the black community do recognise the value of education but some how, seemed to get blocked from reaching out and taking advantage of it or have a negative mindset as to how it can help them ( the reasons I don't know yet).

Goods I won't start a new thread. I think this topic has run it's course. but thank you for your help.

Hi Goods

Yes I do think Mista G missed the point of my thread- I'm not too sure why it got out of control. I think it obvious there aren't any black PhD users on this forum, so I've cast my net into the another forum from called Black Britain.

I've got 3 responses so far, but nothing like the heated dibacol like we've had here. All three mentioned that they did struggle to get through the UK school system and had to work hard to get onto the PhD program. Two of them mentioned that their families were a positive influence.

MistaG

Idon't even tick the ethnic origin box for the very reason you mentioned, it's irrelevant.

Tricky

Thank you for answering my question. You mentioned one of your supervisors is black . Which University is he/she located. I just want to emphasize again. I just want to hear about the experiences of black PhD students reaching out for the degree- and who influenced them , what motivated them

I do not want to discuss racism.

Thanks

MistaG

What is really going on because you sound truely angry - I have never experienced somebody being so angry about something like this.

You know what - I've had to go through some serious crap in my life to get where I am- I wouldn't know where to start, because I might frighten you and all the other forum users, but I'm trying to look at things more positively in my life.

Girl I've experienced racism in my life and heard all the prejudices and then some.........., but like I said before education is power and I'm determined to help my black community to reach there goals through education.

MistaG I feel your passion for equality and I'll standby your side OK

MistaG

Nobody is calling you a racist - You missed the point of the thread completely. I didn't want to discuss racism in academia, because we all now what is going on.

I wanted to talk to ethnic minoriities about their experience of reaching out to get a PhD. I don't think you understand how hard it is for black people to get through the education system in this country, especially black boys.

I've also posted the thread on the black forum site Black britain. I'm researching this topic and trying to get a flavour of what's happening in the black community in regards to higher education, as I will be interviewed quite soon by a higher education research fund.

MistaG if I've upset you please accept my apology OK

Hi Goods

Thank you for your reply. I've got a cold as well, been off Uni all this week because I'm so ill- any way enough of my ranting.

Just like you, my parents did emphasize the need to get a good education, they kept telling me "knowledge is power". However there are two reasons why I wanted to do the PhD, the first being I love micobiology, my whole live has revolved around science and microbes. My second reason is that I 've had a lot of people trying to stop me from pursuing my goals, such as a one time Head of Department at a University I was working for as a Lab technician, went on to laugh at me when I told him I wanted to do a science degree on day release, (Well I'm having the last laugh now).

I think Mista G totally misunderstood like a lot of non white people how hard it is for black people to work within the academic world.

Hi Goods

I didn't want to go into the area of racism , the reason typed in this subject is becuase I simply want to get a feel and journey of how black students got where they got.

Who influenced them. How did change any negative experiences being in the UK schooling system ( if any) into a positive one for themselves ( because I assuming now you are black - correct me if I am wrong) that the journey can sometimes be rocky.

How was it for you Goods?

Hi MistaG

The reason why I'm asking because statistically ethnic minorities are truely under represented in academia. Black boys are struggling to get through the UK school system at GCSE level, so when I see another black person doing a PhD., I am, pleasantly surprised and happy, because I know how hard it is for them to get there. You better believe me when I say that.

The majority of ethnic minorities who complete degrees usually do humanities , social sciences degrees- a tiny minority do PhD in the sciences. This is why I am reaching out to talk black students and what influenced them to do a PhD in any area.

I'm afraid MistaG you are the only one responding to this post, because others may feel the subjective isn't relevant to them or there are no black PhD students on the forum.

MistaG

What are you studying?.and if I may ask where are your ethnic origins ( you can decline to answer , as this forum might be too public).

My parents are Trinidad and Tobago and came to the UK during the 1960's. I'm the first from family to go to Universitty yet alone do a bloody PhD.

I didn't put this post up to be controversial, just wanted to know whether there any black students out there, and what motivated them to do a PhD

MistaG

I think you misinterpreted what I said. I don't think being a black person in academia is a disadvantage in fact it has it's advantage, because obviously you stand out, as there are so few of us, for example when I give presentation I feel the audience pays me more the than usual attention.

My PhD is in the science field (Microbiology) where I see very few black PhD students (and I'm in London) which is a very cosmopolitan area.

Any black PhD students I have seen are from abroad - you know Africa, West indies, but I haven't as yet seen any home grown, British born black PhD students.


Thats why at conference the situation is interesting- even before I open my mouth, individuals assume that I'm from abroad and talk very slowly to me and articulate there words; initially I thought these people were weird or a bit loopy and I got upset, but then I decided to play with them and let them talk, talk talk, and when it was my turn too talk they would be astounded that I have a middle class London accent.

I've stopped playing games now, because a lot of people know me in conferences, but my God I've learn't a social lesson and that is not to judge people by there appearance.

As I said previously the only unhappy time I had during my Phd was having deal with a white Phd post doc who was prejudice and made it very clear that he didn't like ethnic minorities; black or asian . His problem was that he was brought up in an area where the majority of the population was white so he had no contact with black people until he came to London to do his post doc job, he admitted himself that he got all his information about black people through televison programmes and media - not only did I think this was stupid and ignorant, but how could an intelligent man like him be influenced by the media.

Anyhow we have a friendly working relationship now, but it took a while for him to feel comfortable with me and other black undergraduate and postgraduate students

Hi

I just would like to touch base and hear from any black PhD students on this forum, as I still think we are a minority in the world of academia.

What have your expriences been like?

I still get stared at, when I go to conferences, had low points with a prejudice post doc, but overall my expeirnce has been good.

Would love to hear from you guy's.

My parents are from the West indies, and came to England in the 1950's ( Wind rush era), so they came to the UK to make a better life for my sisters and I.

They struggled a lot, as they had to put up with the No Blacks, no Dogs, no Irish pheonomen that was going around in the UK. NEVERTHELESS, they were determined that my sisters and I worked hard in school.

And so I did I went to a Comprehensive school and worked hard. so I'm the first not only from my family to go to University, but also to do a PhD. !!

I'm really into salsa dance and I'm in an all girl dance troupe called Las Salseras.

We'll be doing a show in two weeks. Are there any other salsa luvvies out there !!!