Imposter Syndrome
Multi-generational abuse masked as an affliction
In the wake of the global focus on race relations, racism and the endemic societal conditions to perpetuate racial bias, I had a thought around feelings of imposter syndrome.
As black people, we sit in boardrooms, C-suits and the helms of organisations and businesses. We represent significant number of global sports icons. We have creatives with accolades and great achievements. We have produced some of greatest leaders the world has ever seen. Yet, a great number of these high-achieving, talented, deserving and accomplished people, have scares that manifest as a feeling of inadequacy and less than, within their sphere of competence area of expertise.
Quite a number of articles exist on the subject of imposter syndrome and all definitions focus on a feeling of being a fraud.
I doubt that this is accurate, you as a person know you are not, you know your worth, understand the sacrifices made to get to the level you at. Yet, knowing this, does not make it any easier to justify or understand the actions of others towards you. Doubt and frustration come in, due to utter disrespect one receives from your peers, business partners and fellow executives. All this behaviour, the accepted norm of behavior and treatment of those not looking possessing the traits that are deemed to be key to warrant respect. Give rise for great concern.
This so called Imposter Syndrome, in many cases, is an infliction and not an affliction.
My argument is thus, Imposter Syndrome, as experienced by black people, is born out of cause, generated by the prevailing environment, an environment that has been perpetuated over generations. A narrative begun to ensure that black people are subdued through long-term psychological conditioning on the belief that they are worthless, are worth less than others and confined to lower stations in life.
. . . The Bantu must be guided to serve his own community in all respects. There is no place for him in the European community above the level of certain forms of labour. . . — Hendrik Verwoed
This can be seen in examples where the authority of a particular executive, usually black, holds less power than that of an equal level executive. It is born in the treatment of black people in business, politics, institutions of higher learning and organisations, across the length and breath of South Africa.
It is thus not an error on the part of the individual, as I know the opponents of this argument would claim. That their feelings are not valid and need to snap out of it. It is due to actions of not taking this into consideration that the phenomenon persists, unabated.
It does not start or end with the recognition of self, it starts with the recognition by others, and a show of equal respect for the person holding the position. Be it a position of high authority, or a position of team lead and more importantly, as a person contributing to the team, at any level.
I would imagine, without real world experience, that the imposter syndrome is even more prevalent in women and exponentially more so, in black women. Society is in the wrong, something perpetuated daily in scrum meetings, team meetings, board meetings and many other such gatherings — where the authority, knowledge and skill set of the black person is undervalued, under-appreciated and contributions made by this individual(s) are discarded as soon as they are made.
Ability and acumen is not something that is reserved for a particular race or gender, it is based on aptitude and dedication. Traits that have led the individual at hand to the leadership heights or education level that they have. And therefore, like any other individual on this planet, has a right to being heard, respected and allowed to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences.
