Not An Impostor

Do you ever feel like an impostor? That you are not quite as bright, kind, or worthwhile as those around you, and you fear the day they find out?

In 1978, Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes coined the term Impostor Phenomenon. Clance and Imes did extensive work with women who had graduate degrees, were well respected in their field, and were financially successful, yet felt like they were fooling their colleagues, friends, and loved ones. They believed that they were merely pretending to be intelligent and that sooner or later they would be exposed as frauds.

Since then, research has shown that the Impostor Phenomenon is is relatively commonplace, especially for members of disadvantaged groups who are in socially valued positions.

I had been toying with the idea of starting a blog for a long, long time, but put off starting one because I did not believe I had anything of value to say. I thought this even though I am excelling in a PhD program. I thought this even though I have been an activist for years. I thought this even though I thrive on politics and debate. I thought this even though I have researched why people do not speak up, even when they desperately want to.

And then one day, I decided I was tired of feeling like an impostor.

http://notanimpostor.tumblr.com