Microaggressions, lack of representation, biases, credibility and imposter syndrome — it is time to talk about the experiences of women of color (WOC) in Model United Nations.
It is no secret that the circuit attracts privileged students, is male dominated and heavily lacks in diversity. Navigating this environment as a woman alone is already challenging, so with the added dynamics of racial identity, WOC face even more mental obstacles.
While non-WOC share the experience of maneuvering through misogynistic environments perpetuated by certain delegates, the difference in their experiences lies in intersectionality. This means that a WOC not only has to deal with the biases of being a woman, but are also faced with the biases of their race.
As a WOC who competes on the circuit, I believe it is important for other WOC in MUN to know that they are not alone in these experiences. I hope my experiences, as well as the experiences that other WOC have faced, can also offer new perspectives to non-WOC.
Biases
After every committee session, I anxiously wonder if I am seen as more aggressive or less competent than others because of biases against my brown skin. These are a couple of biases I have dealt with, but there are others that also need to be given attention to. For example, Asian American women delegates have to work harder to assert themselves as studies have shown that they are seen as submissive and lack leadership skills. Another example can be seen with Black women delegates as numerous reports show that they are subconsciously viewed as more aggressive. Black women delegates, therefore, may be extra cautious when speaking as they do not want to labeled as threatening or angry. With this, it is vital to be mindful of biases you may not realize you may have and to remember WOC delegates deal with these biases outside of MUN.
Lack of Representation
My first time participating in MUN was very intimidating because I was not used to being in a room surrounded by people who did not look like me. I kept wondering if people I had just met had biases against my background, making me extra careful when I navigated committee dynamics. This is a common experience for WOC delegates who enter the circuit for the first time. It is a reason why whenever I see another WOC in my committee, I immediately feel a sense of happiness knowing I will have a friend alongside me for the next three days, sharing in my experience.
Microaggressions
When traveling across the east and west coast for conferences, you encounter delegates who may not realize what their words may imply. One time, I was approached in a crisis committee where a delegate asked me to co-sponsor a directive because “my people” would approve of it. Confused, I asked what they meant (they could have meant my character). Unfortunately, he said it was a joke about my racial background. This is only one example of microaggressions I have faced on the circuit. Remembering to not assume someone’s background and to not make generalizations about groups of people is key to being a successful diplomat.
Credibility as a Leader
Something I noticed when I first began competing was who I associated as a credible leader. What I noticed was that I unconsciously looked towards non-WOC for leadership and validation rather than my WOC peers. The reason that I, as well as a majority of people, have done this is due to racial biases. As a result, WOC delegates have to work harder than their non WOC peers in order to prove their credibility as a leader. While these biases are ingrained within us due to society’s norms, with an active approach we can undo these prejudices and be more mindful of WOC in committee.
By sharing these experiences, I hope to bring visibility to the challenges that are intensified and unique to WOC in MUN. Being cognizant of the challenging dynamics that WOC must navigate is crucial in ensuring that you are an effective ally, and helps you recognize some difficulties that you may not have had to deal with.
At the MUN Institute, we strive to create an inclusive environment that empowers our students from all backgrounds. This past summer, I had the amazing opportunity to work as a Residential Counselor for students all over the globe. Being able to see so many WOC delegates’ confidence rise, and seeing them become empowered leaders was by far my favorite memory. It is an experience I wished I had because my confidence and leadership abilities would have grown tremendously. Registration for the MUNI Summer Institute 2020 is now live!
