Being a Black Academic in America

he “Operation Varsity Blues” bribery scandal led to an outpouring of conversation on privilege, merit, and fairness in higher education. African-American scholars were quick to point out the hypocrisy the scandal revealed. As Anthony Abraham Jack, an assistant professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, put it, “I have been told by people at times, ‘You stole a spot because you’re here.’ Now, who stole what from who?”

In the wake of the scandal, The Chronicle Review asked graduate students, junior professors, and senior scholars what it’s like to be an African-American academic today. We asked respondents to speak to themes raised by the admissions-bribery scandal. Here’s what they told us.