At Oberlin College, there is a commitment to providing a space for students of all backgrounds, and many Black women experience this environment as one that values our presence and contributions. Oberlin’s progressive culture promotes the idea that all students, regardless of race or identity, can excel academically and socially. However, despite the outward celebration of diversity, there are unique and often invisible challenges that Black women face when navigating the academic environment, particularly related to the pressures of overachievement and the complexities of financial stability.
In the context of Oberlin’s diverse and progressive environment, there is an unspoken expectation for Black women to not only excel academically but to also represent our communities. While diversity is celebrated, the weight of representation often falls squarely on our shoulders. Black women are not just expected to perform well in their studies but are also frequently asked to take on leadership roles in campus organizations, engage in conversations about race and equity, and serve as role models for the younger generation of students. These expectations can feel overwhelming, as we are constantly balancing the pressure to excel in academics with the pressure to represent and speak for our communities, all while navigating personal challenges.
The culture of overachievement at Oberlin is real. It is not just about excelling in academics but about performing well in every aspect of life, whether that’s taking on leadership roles in student government, running clubs, organizing events, or contributing to meaningful social change. While all students feel the weight of academic and extracurricular demands, Black women often face additional pressures that stem from the expectations others place on us. There’s a sense that if we don’t excel in every arena, we are somehow failing not just ourselves, but the communities we represent. We are constantly reminded that we are not only students but also symbols, and that can be an exhausting burden to carry.
The underlying financial realities that many Black women face are often left unaddressed, even in an environment as inclusive as Oberlin. Despite the College’s commitment to diversity and financial aid, the socioeconomic disparities between Black students and wealthier peers remain glaring. Many Black women come from backgrounds where financial resources were limited, and college is viewed not just as an opportunity for personal growth, but as a critical investment for upward mobility, not only for themselves but also for their families. The pressure to secure a financially stable future can influence how we approach our studies, career paths, and professional opportunities.
Student loan debt, for example, looms heavily for many Black women at colleges and universities across the country. According to the American Association of University Women, Black women graduate with more student loan debt than any other demographic group. The financial burden that comes with attending college often starts before we even set foot on campus, shaping decisions about where to apply, which scholarships to pursue, and what majors to choose. For many Black women, the weight of student debt is not just an academic issue but a real-life concern that affects every decision we make during our college years. We are hyper-aware of the financial cost of education, and this often impacts the career paths we choose, prioritizing financially secure majors like business, engineering, and nursing over passions that may offer less immediate financial return, such as the arts or social sciences.
Like a lot of students at Oberlin, many Black women work part-time or even full-time jobs to cover tuition, housing, and personal expenses. This additional financial responsibility can leave little room for involvement in unpaid internships, research opportunities, or extracurricular activities that are crucial for building resumes and professional networks. While this reality is shared by many college students, the pressure to balance academics with the need to work multiple jobs is particularly pronounced for Black women, whose economic circumstances may differ significantly from those of their peers. The result is a kind of invisible inequality where the financial strain that Black women face limits their access to the same opportunities that many of their peers take for granted.
Once Black women graduate and enter the workforce, the financial pressures continue to shape our experiences. Despite being one of the most educated demographics in the U.S., Black women face significant wage gaps. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Black women earn only 66.5 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. This wage gap has long-term consequences, impacting everything from homeownership and retirement savings to healthcare access and quality of life. For many Black women, securing a job after graduation is not just about finding a fulfilling career but also about ensuring financial security for themselves and their families.
Salary negotiations, for instance, are a particularly fraught area for Black women. While we are often expected to be confident and assertive in our professional lives, research shows that Black women are less likely to be successful in salary negotiations due to bias against women of color. Employers may view assertiveness in Black women more negatively than in their white or male counterparts, leading to situations where Black women accept lower wages just to get their foot in the door. This dynamic perpetuates cycles of under-compensation that make it harder for Black women to achieve financial stability and long-term economic success.
Beyond the economic disparities, there is also the tension between passion and practicality. For many Black women, pursuing career fulfillment is often secondary to securing a financially stable job. We are often faced with the difficult decision of whether to follow our passions or to prioritize job security and benefits, especially when we are shouldering the responsibility of supporting family members or repaying significant student debt. This tension between passion and financial survival is often invisible in mainstream narratives about career choice and ambition, where financial freedom is assumed and the pursuit of personal fulfillment is seen as a luxury rather than a right.
At the same time, it is crucial to recognize that the awareness of these challenges often fuels a remarkable sense of determination in Black women. Many of us enter the workforce with a deep sense of responsibility, not just for ourselves but for our families and communities. This collectivist approach to economic progress has driven Black women to become the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. Many Black women are pursuing their own entrepreneurial ventures, not only to create wealth on their own terms but also to challenge the systems that have historically excluded us.
While Oberlin College champions diversity, it is essential to acknowledge that the unique challenges Black women face, both financial and societal, are still prevalent, even in such a progressive and inclusive space. The pressure to overachieve, coupled with the economic challenges many Black women face, creates a complex and often isolating experience. It is important for Oberlin to move beyond just celebrating diversity and begin to actively support students from marginalized backgrounds, ensuring that Black women are not only recognized for their contributions but also supported in ways that allow us to thrive without being burdened by the weight of unrealistic expectations. Only through this deeper commitment to equity and support can Oberlin become a truly inclusive environment where all students can succeed on their own terms.
