How Core Beliefs Are Challenged in Predominantly White Spaces
Jamal, a high school senior, prided himself on his core value of authenticity. He loved to express his thoughts openly and wasn’t afraid to stand out. One day, during a history class discussion on civil rights, Jamal shared his perspective about systemic racism still affecting Black communities today.
As soon as he finished, a white classmate smirked and said, “Why does everything have to be about race? Slavery ended ages ago.” The teacher quickly moved on, avoiding the topic entirely, leaving Jamal feeling exposed and unsupported.
Jamal’s first instinct was to shut down, to say nothing more, and retreat. But he caught himself. Staying silent would mean abandoning the authenticity he valued. So, he took a deep breath and calmly said, “Race still matters because it shapes the world we live in today. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.”
Even though the response wasn’t warmly received, Jamal walked away feeling proud. He stayed true to his values despite the discomfort of the space around him.
This moment taught him that living authentically in predominantly white spaces often requires courage and resilience—but staying grounded in his truth was worth it.
Living and working in predominantly white spaces often feels like walking a tightrope. As Black people, our core values—like resilience, authenticity, and dignity—are constantly tested by microaggressions, stereotypes, and systemic barriers. These spaces are not neutral; they are designed to uphold white western norms that can feel isolating, invalidating, and even dehumanizing to Black people.
For example, the value of authenticity might be challenged when we feel pressured to code-switch to fit in. (We’ve discussed “white-pleasing” behaviors on the podcast show.) Resilience may feel heavy under the weight of constant microaggressions, and the value of dignity can be undermined by being overlooked, questioned, or treated as “less than.” The cumulative effect of these challenges can make us question our worth or even reshape how we see ourselves.
So how do we stay grounded? It begins with awareness and intentionality.
Reconnect with Your Core Values: Regularly reflect on what truly matters to you. Write your core values down, keep them visible, and revisit them when the chaos of the day feels overwhelming.
Build Affirming Spaces: Seek out community, whether through friends, family, or online spaces, where you can fully express yourself and feel supported. Surrounding yourself with people who validate your experiences can be transformative.
Practice Self-Compassion: When your values feel tested, give yourself grace. Understand that staying true to yourself in the face of systemic racism is not easy—it’s an act of resistance.
Challenge Harmful Narratives: Speak up when possible and safe. If silence isn’t an option, find ways to document your experiences and seek allies who will stand with you.
Staying grounded in predominantly white spaces is about holding onto the truth of who you are, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise.
Your core values are your superpower—don’t let go of them.
