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

The cover of the book, Presumed Incompetent, is a representation of the contents. It shows not a white face but a face of many colors, looking you straight in the eyes, confronting you. So much has been written about the "Glass Ceiling" but what has not been addressed is the additional ceiling that women of color in academia face, "The Color Ceiling". The many women who share their experiences break your heart as well as make you angry about the racism they endure.What is most distressing are the women, usually not as educated or talented, who pander to the oppressive white men to gain favors rather than join in a supportive sisterhood of other women, all women.Although all essays share a different yet similar experience, in" Igualadas", page 287, the author particularly impassioned me with her courage and ability to rise above the insults. It is a rubric that should serve as a model, women do not have to perpetuate the injustices done to them.Congratulations to the editors who compiled these essays, that opened all eyes to the past practices of universities and colleges who should set a standard for equality.

I ordered my copy through Amazon and waited for it with much anticipation. I am in the process of reading it and it is amazing! It speaks to experiences that many of us live in our daily lives, whether in academia or in other patriarchal, racist/sexist systems. I thank the women who shared and collaborated to provide context for what women face in academia. This book will need a second and third edition, and a follow-up book. Unfortunately, the problems that these women describe in the book are still prevalent in society today. But this book is at least doing something about it - raising issues, continuing a long overdue discussion, and providing comfort for individuals who are struggling with similar issues. THANK YOU TO THE EDITORS AND AUTHORS!!!

This is an excellent collection of essays that explores and reveals the intensely challenging world of the female academic of color. The level of bias these brave women have to encounter on a regular basis, despite the incredible number of accolades they have accumulated during decades of extremely difficult academic work, is shocking. As someone who is of mixed race and nationality, and who has also earned her Ph.D., I can attest that all of the truths in the essays are very true for ALL female academics of color, in one way or another. This anthology is honest and important! I cannot stress that enough.

A very important text and interesting read. This book needs to be read by diversity committees, faculty, and administrations across American colleges and universities. The stories therein are powerful reminders of how far and not so far academia has advanced ideas of racial and gender equality. A sobering and insider's look into university and collegiate life from an often marginalized group of faculty. These stories should be shared and prompt minority faculty to be more vocal and active in sharing their own stories to both students and faculty of all colors and gender orientations.

This is an extraordinary anthology, full of insightful articles. The volume combines first person testimonial narratives with qualitative and quantitative analysis about the experience of women of color in academia. Extremely enlightening. Suitable for university administrators, faculty, and graduate students. Very useful teaching tool. Offers many insights as to how to survive in a hostile work environment.

Must read for any women,women of color and people of color in the educational field infancy to PHD levels. In addition,thistext should be required reading for all staff academic staff and students. It is courageous these authors have broken the silence and spoken.Thank you!

Stay tuned. This book is about to start a movement. The stories yet to come will curdle your toes. For me, the book is too painful to read in one lump. As a Latina academic, I can attest to everything recorded here and much, much more.

I am a Life Coach talking with many women in the Academy ( women of color). These stories help me to gain insight and refer them to the book ( so, they know they are not alone).This is so overdo!Excellent read! Great book! Very riveting!

This book sets out to capture the experiences of American women of colour in academia at the start of the 21st century. 'Women of colour' here include African-American women, Latina women, Hispanic women, Native American women, and others. It is a big book, over 500 pages long, with 30 chapters in five sections: General Campus Climate, Faculty/Student Relationships, Networks of Allies, Social Class in Academia, and Tenure and Promotion. Each section has its own introduction, and the book as a whole has an introduction and an afterword. The section on pp 10-14, which explains the reasons why many women chose not to contribute to the book, is in itself a revealing and fascinating read. The editors have done a superb job (I was going to say 'masterful' but then realised how inappropriate that would be!) of collecting and curating contributions from women of colour, plus at least one white woman and at least one man, which give enormous insight into their experiences in academia.Some contributions are personal narratives, some are based on research, and all are by academic people so there is an extensive bibliography. The index is also fit for purpose. And the content of the book is excellent. I'm not an academic yet I learn a lot from this book. I think it is essential reading for any academic with an interest in higher education, whether or not you are American, a woman, or a person of colour. It is also very well worth reading for anyone with an interest in gender, race, social class, or intersectionality. Highly recommended.

Great book. I felt very isolated in my experiences until I read this book. It will be great to have one specially written for non-American audience where there is no affirmative or positive action. The experiences are more dire.