I often feel uneasy on this tiny campus — whether it is walking through a crowded dining hall, struggling with small talk, or generally existing in public spaces, I am hyper-aware of every awkward move. I find some comfort in knowing that this experience is not uncommon among many Smithies. However, what is isolating is how my shyness is shaped by navigating predominantly white spaces as a Black woman.
Though my experience may feel somewhat unique at a place like Smith, it is not for the broader Black community. The truth is that many shy, introverted, or socially anxious Black Americans experience even more social fear or discomfort in predominantly white spaces. Racism often influences the ways we contend with these emotions.
A recent article published in the Anxiety & Depression Association of America cites the impacts of racism as a major risk factor for anxiety in Black women, stating, “(Black women in academic and professional settings) have been taught that they have to be twice as good to go half as far, that they are representing the race and that they are being watched more closely than their white counterparts; …(these beliefs) increase risk for social anxiety.” The pressure of being a visible and isolated minority can make social life within academic and professional spheres draining and distressing for many Black Americans.
But along with the anxiety of constantly maintaining a capable and bulletproof image, many also deal with fears of what might happen if they can’t keep up, anticipating racism as a punishment for such failure. Research from a 2023 doctoral dissertation from the University of Missouri-Kansas City cited performance-related anxiety as a trigger for socially anxious Black women. Often, their concerns were linked to “… stereotype threat, and an understanding that they would not be given grace or empathy due to being a Black woman if their performance was lacking in any way.”
Interpersonal anxiety and withdrawal in Black Americans have also been a source of microaggressions and incidents of racism. The shyness or anxiety of Black Americans is sometimes interpreted as anger or distrust, likely connected to stereotypes of Black people as aggressive or scary. Assata Little ‘27 spoke about her experience as a self-identified shy person, stating, “My sports team is predominantly white, and most of them tend to socialize in a certain way that I find it difficult to. I’ve had a few tell me they thought I hated them before we talked, just because I didn’t talk with as much enthusiasm or because I wasn’t as outgoing.”
At Smith, I’ve had experiences similar to Little. Some white Smithies have told me that I seemed intimidating or even angry before we spoke. So, while I was internally building the courage to start a conversation with a stranger, others assumed disinterest or even malice. Interestingly enough, asking my non-Black friends of color for their first impressions of me, they consistently reply that I just seemed shy or awkward.
Shyness and social anxiety are based on the assumption that others will criticize and reject you. People of all races and identities have experienced such thought patterns. However, when you are part of a minority group that has historically been injured by negative societal attitudes, this paranoia becomes even more tangible in everyday life. Additionally, the social unease of Black people is more frequently met with racial stereotyping, which is also a major contributor to imposter syndrome.
For many Black people in predominantly white spaces, social fear and discomfort aren’t just personal issues — they are shaped by the weight of race, racial bias, and the pressure to prove one’s worth. At Smith, creating more inclusive spaces means acknowledging that someone’s silence may not be a brewing hostility or aversion. It means acknowledging that breaking this kind of silence may come with different risks for different people. Until these attitudes are dismantled, in and outside of Smith, many Black Americans, especially those in academic and professional spaces, will continue to experience not only the burden of their shyness or social anxiety, but the fear and reality of how it is received.
