LibraryScenariosHow linguistic prejudice undermines professional confidence
Scenario

How linguistic prejudice undermines professional confidence

I am afraid to speak up in meetings because my accent makes people think I am less intelligent even though I have two degrees.

Juana
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

When accent becomes a marker of intelligence rather than origin, competence must be performed through assimilation rather than demonstrated through expertise.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with First-generation identity?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.