Woke to Weary

In this article the authors address critical concerns about what is missing from discussions about diversity in higher education. Reflecting on their experiences as women marked as “diverse” subjects, the authors identify the nuance and necessary caution to be taken in these discussions, especially in cries to move beyond the current discourse and practice of “diversity.” The hollowness of diversity initiatives within academic institutions has left the authors weary. Weary from being tokenized as students/academics, holding the burden of ensuring diversity work is done themselves, and being wary of new plans and suggestions. The article proposes that these discussions take into consideration that ultimately, people carrying heavily oppressed identities unduly struggle to survive (live comfortably while supporting their communities), and thus the burden to actively resist (educate, lead, and organize) not fall on scholars of color alone and that the inherent tensions in diversity work must at all times remain foregrounded.