Considering risk, responsibility, and reward: the experiences of women of color in science speaking truth to power
Date
2023
Authors
Moreira, Stephanie "Mo", author
Basile, Vincent, advisor
Archibeque-Engle, Shannon, committee member
Diaz, Hermen, committee member
Hickey, Matthew, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the risks, responsibility, and rewards women of color in the sciences navigate and negotiate when choosing to speak truth to power. The theoretical lenses that guided this work included Critical Race Theory, Critical Feminist Theory, Harding's strong objectivity, and Foucault's analysis of parrhesia (speaking truth to power). Employing the counternarrative, participants were provided an opportunity to reflect on their intentions, motivations, and behaviors when choosing to be outspoken about oppression in their personal and professional settings. The research questions for this study were: (1) What motivating factors guide women of color in the sciences to choose to speak truth to power? (2) How do women of color in the sciences envision the future of science culture? If speaking truth to power is a game, as Foucault suggests, the study identified five rules that served as a social contract for women of color in science. The emerging rules include: (1) stay true to oneself, (2) avoid ruining it for other women of color, (3) live to die another day, (4) if you must leave, go out on your own terms, and (5) share the map with others. Manipulating relationships and creating boundaries served as strategies that women of color in science uniquely operationalize to achieve their goals.
Description
Rights Access
Subject
science
STEM
women of color
speaking truth to power
activism
students of color