[This post was originally published on June 3, 2019 at The Ink On The Page.]
Late last spring I shared the original results of my deauthentication survey with TIOTP readers. The survey came out of my desire to explore this sub-phenomenon that seems to occur for racial/ethnic minority academic librarians who are experiencing low morale (repeated and protracted exposure to workplace abuse and neglect – Kendrick, 2017). As I reviewed the data, I solidified a definition of the term:
Deauthentication is a cognitive process that People of Color (PoC) traverse to prepare for or navigate predominantly White workplace environments, resulting in decisions that hide or reduce aspects of
- the influence of their ethnic, racial, or cultural identity, and
- the presentation of their natural personality, language, physical and mental self-images/representations, interests, relationships, values, traditions, and more,
to avoid macro- or microaggressions, shaming, incivility, punishment or retaliation, and which results in barriers to sharing their whole selves with their colleagues and/or clients. (Kendrick, 2018)
The following results reflect 108 responses (up from 67 responses in June 2018).
- 28% African-American; 24% Asian; 16% Caucasian; 5% American Indian/Alaska Native
- 85% female
- 80% have engaged in deauthentication
- 73% have reduced or avoided conversations about personal or family relationships
- 72% have reduced or avoided discussions of religion, politics, or social viewpoints
- 70% have reduced or avoided conversations about cultural or ethnic (formal or informal) traditions
- 58% have reduced or avoided conversations about non-work related activities, hobbies, or interests
- 58% have changed or (re)considered creating or sharing content on their social media accounts
- 53% have changed or (re)considered clothing presentation
- 47% have changed or reconsidered body movements or non-verbal behaviors
- 45% have changed accent, speaking tone, or language structure
The survey remains open, and I will periodically share updates on this blog.
Works Cited
Kendrick, K.D. (2018, Feb. 5). Considering: Deauthenticity in the workplace. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2BWTqkR
Kendrick, K.D. (2017). The low-morale experience of academic librarians: A phenomenological study. Journal of Library Administration, 57(8): 846-878. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01930826.2017.1368325
