ABSTRACT
Research is invested in understanding more the challenges of people of color in academia at the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, and other social categories. This chapter is a personal essay describing the experiences of a Black woman graduate student at a predominately white institution (PWI). The essay is written in first-person narrative to explore the challenges of being a Black woman graduate student who is impacted by gender racism in academia. The chapter describes the strategies used to manage the Angry Black Woman controlling image while undertaking PhD-level coursework. The chapter also deeply interrogates the impact of the Angry Black Woman controlling image and other forms of gender racism on Black women's health and wellbeing. Relying on Black Feminist traditions and thought, this chapter is an essay that helps with healing and moving through institutional racism and sexism. The chapter ends with critical lessons learned throughout the graduate school to achieve academically as well as the ability to practice self-definition—the process of defining oneself for themselves.
