I am not a fake. I am authentically me

I have never felt like an imposter.

I was raised by educators who taught me that everybody is somebody and that nobody could make me feel less without my consent. I was an athlete, and I was the first African American woman to represent my county in the Miss North Carolina pageant. That helped pay for my education. Now, I am a scientist.

Recently, when I heard Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first African American female U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, describe her experience as a student at Harvard University, I was struck by her feelings of being an imposter. In the same interview, she said a more senior African American woman advised her to persevere. This pivotal moment helped her feel that she belonged, and the rest is history.

People have the right to identify how they feel in any given space. However, I believe we are often too quick to internalize labels that do not accurately describe our lived experiences.

In the academic world, I have experienced people who try to “other” those who are not like them. In my opinion, the concept of imposter syndrome is often used to appease the consciousness of those who exclude others. 

Imposter syndrome, first described by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in the late 1970s, refers to a person believing they are not as competent as others perceive them to be. Despite their accomplishments, people with imposter syndrome often feel like frauds, attributing their success to luck rather than ability. However, imposter syndrome is not a formally recognized psychological diagnosis.

I argue that what many people commonly refer to as “imposter syndrome” should instead be called “exclusion syndrome.”

This shift in terminology removes the burden of perceived inadequacy from individuals, particularly people of color and women, and places it on the systemic exclusion perpetuated by a white, masculine majority, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. By reframing the issue, we can better address the root causes of these feelings and work toward more inclusive environments.

I am not the only person who thinks imposter syndrome is not the correct language to describe the experiences of people of color, especially women of color. Kevin Cokley, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, proposes what he calls a “racialized impostor phenomenon” to address how racism and discrimination often contribute to impostor feelings among minoritized individuals. Inherent in his work and that of other scholars of color is the idea that the burden of impostor feelings should not be placed on people of color and women.

The term imposter syndrome implies a personal failing, suggesting that the individual who feels like an imposter is somehow deficient. This overlooks the broader context of systemic bias and exclusion that many people face. For women and people of color, these feelings of inadequacy are often exacerbated by a lack of representation and support in their fields.

By calling it “exclusion syndrome” or “imposter phenomena,” we acknowledge that these feelings are not just internal struggles but are also influenced by external factors.

Moreover, the narrative around imposter syndrome often fails to consider the resilience and strength required to navigate spaces where a person feels unwelcome.

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s story is a testament to this resilience. Her journey from feeling like an imposter at Harvard to becoming a Supreme Court Justice highlights the importance of perseverance and the impact of supportive mentors.

The concept of imposter syndrome has brought attention to the internal struggles many people face. Now it is time to shift the focus to the systemic issues that contribute to these feelings. By reframing and renaming it, we can better address the root causes and work towards creating more inclusive and supportive environments.

I am not a fake. I am authentically me. My opposition to the term imposter syndrome is a call to recognize and dismantle the barriers that can perpetuate feelings of inadequacy.

In the words of one of my dear mentors, Arlene P. Maclin, "Imposter syndrome places all of the blame on the persons who find themselves in environments of often being ‘the only’ or ‘the first.’ This situation can be reversed to one of inclusion only when women, especially in STEM fields, reach a critical mass."