A symbolic representation of an academic of color navigating the pressures of assimilation in a predominantly white university.

Beyond Diversity: Unmasking Assimilation in Academia

Lena Voss in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Is 'Diversity' Just a Facade? Examining How Academics of Color Navigate White Institutions"

The push for diversity in universities is often celebrated, but what happens when 'diversity' becomes a mask for assimilation? Many academics of color find themselves navigating predominantly white institutions where the pressure to conform can overshadow genuine inclusion. This isn't just about representation; it's about the subtle and overt ways that whiteness shapes academic culture and expectations.

Sadhvi Dar's research, drawing on Black liberation and anti-racist literature, unpacks this complex dynamic. By examining the experiences of Black and Brown academics, Dar reveals how the pursuit of assimilation can silence voices and perpetuate systemic inequalities. The work invites a critical look at the gap between diversity initiatives and the lived realities of academics of color.

Inspired by Ben Jonson's 17th-century masque, 'The Masque of Blackness,' Dar reimagines the performance of identity within the academic world. This exploration delves into the historical context of Black bodies in Western institutions and offers a counter-narrative to those who experience exclusion and racism, even as others appear to be celebrated for their diversity.

Navigating the Labyrinth: What Pressures Do Academics of Color Face?

A symbolic representation of an academic of color navigating the pressures of assimilation in a predominantly white university.

Academics of color often face a double bind: they are expected to represent diversity while simultaneously conforming to white academic norms. This can manifest in several ways:

The pressure to perform: Black and Brown academics may feel compelled to use their voices 'daringly' to challenge the status quo or to strategically silence themselves to gain acceptance within white structures. This constant calculation can be emotionally taxing and professionally limiting.

Tokenization: Being asked to speak on behalf of an entire racial group.
Citation Bias: Facing challenges in having their work recognized or cited.
Microaggressions: Enduring subtle but persistent acts of racism that undermine their sense of belonging.
Exclusion: Feeling isolated from networks and opportunities available to their white colleagues.

These pressures contribute to what Dar identifies as a dangerous misnomer of 'diversity,' where the presence of diverse individuals does not necessarily translate to equitable or inclusive practices. Instead, it can create a facade that obscures the underlying politics of whiteness.

Beyond Performance: Building a Truly Inclusive Academy

Moving beyond performative diversity requires a commitment to dismantling the structures of whiteness that perpetuate inequality. This involves recognizing the historical context of racial exclusion, challenging citation biases, and actively supporting the voices and perspectives of academics of color. It also means creating spaces where difference is not just tolerated but celebrated, and where all members of the academic community can thrive without having to sacrifice their identities.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the central argument about 'diversity' in academia?

The central argument is that the push for 'diversity' in universities often serves as a mask for assimilation. It suggests that the presence of diverse individuals does not always translate into equitable or inclusive practices, but can instead perpetuate systemic inequalities by subtly or overtly shaping academic culture and expectations based on 'whiteness'. 'Diversity' initiatives may create a facade, obscuring the underlying politics of 'whiteness' within the institution.

How does Sadhvi Dar's research contribute to understanding the experiences of academics of color?

Sadhvi Dar's research, drawing on Black liberation and anti-racist literature, unpacks the complex dynamic of assimilation in academia. By examining the experiences of Black and Brown academics, Dar reveals how the pursuit of assimilation can silence voices and perpetuate systemic inequalities. Dar's work offers a critical lens to examine the gap between 'diversity' initiatives and the lived realities of academics of color, particularly through the lens of how the historical context of Black bodies in Western institutions impacts current experiences.

What are some of the specific pressures that academics of color face within predominantly white institutions?

Academics of color often face a double bind. They are expected to represent 'diversity' while simultaneously conforming to white academic norms. This can manifest in various ways, including the pressure to perform or strategically silence themselves, tokenization where they are asked to speak on behalf of an entire racial group, citation bias, microaggressions, and exclusion from networks and opportunities available to their white colleagues. These pressures contribute to a dangerous misnomer of 'diversity'.

How does the concept of 'assimilation' manifest in the context of academic settings?

In academia, assimilation manifests through various pressures on academics of color to conform to white academic norms. These pressures include the need to navigate the expectations of white colleagues, potentially facing tokenization where they are asked to represent their entire racial group, and enduring microaggressions. The pressure to conform can lead to strategically silencing themselves or adopting behaviors perceived as acceptable by white structures, which can be emotionally taxing and professionally limiting. Dar's research explores how these pressures contribute to a culture where the presence of diverse individuals does not necessarily lead to equitable or inclusive practices.

What steps can be taken to move beyond 'performative diversity' and build a truly inclusive academy, as highlighted in the context?

Moving beyond performative 'diversity' requires a commitment to dismantling the structures of 'whiteness' that perpetuate inequality. This involves recognizing the historical context of racial exclusion, challenging citation biases, and actively supporting the voices and perspectives of academics of color. Creating spaces where difference is not just tolerated but celebrated, and where all members of the academic community can thrive without having to sacrifice their identities is also essential. This involves a fundamental shift in how 'diversity' is understood and implemented, focusing on genuine inclusion and equity rather than superficial representation.