From #SAGrad to #SAPro Reflections of Digital and Racial Identity

In 2011, I signed up for my first Twitter account. My twitter handle was inspired by a Jay Z lyric. Before I became an SA Grad, I used my Twitter like a typical college student. I spoke about current events in the world, media, and the typical campus drama. Everything changed when I became an SA Grad and I entered the digital world of Student Affairs. I discovered the world of Student Affairs digitally, as I entered the process to become an intern for The Placement Exchange. Fellow interns Trina Tan and Kirby Gibson introduced me to the world of #sachat and #sagrad. In these spaces, as I transitioned I have learned a few things:

1. Your identity matters in these spaces. No one is treated the same. There are many instances where peers and colleagues have targeted me digitally because of my racial identity. I have been labeled angry and told I was threatening. I have been called racist, despite the fact I lack the privilege, power, and opportunity to systematic oppress another race.

2. I cannot be authentic with professional and personal social media accounts. I need to use one account because I want to share my many intersections and worlds. Decide what authenticity looks like for you.

3. You have to employ restraint when your colleagues, who identify differently than you, enter your racial and cultural spaces digitally. When I was a SA Grad, there were times where I have been challenged because someone did not understand the politics of a cultural space I inhabit.

4. Social media is a shared space. People can see everything. People can comment on anything. Be precise with your comments. Consider all interpretations to your words before posting.

5. Always remember there are different stages to social media usage. Some of us grew up in a world without social media. Some of us grew as the social media boom began. Some of us do not know a world without social media. We must be mindful of these different stages. Allow your students and peers to make digital mistakes in their pursuit of growth. We must understand based on identities, opportunity for mistakes are not equal or equitable.

 6. Digital blow-ups amongst colleagues in the field happen. Try to steer clear of them. When you see them, learn from them.

7. SA Grads you will be silenced. SA Pros you will be silenced even more. Despite this silence, your voice matters. You have to decide when battles are worth your time. Grads you have more protections. As a Pro, digital mistakes can cost you a job. You will not receive a digital or physical applause for every clapback.

 8. Despite intention, every space is not for you and you will not feel welcome in every space. I have found over time that I do not feel welcome in the #sachat space or the Student Affairs Professionals Facebook group. While my lack of belonging in these spaces is a shared commonality amongst many of my peers, it is a part of the deeper systemic problems in the digital patriarchy in Higher Ed. What is important is that I have found my home with #sjechat, #hiphoped and the BLKSAP Facebook Groups. Shout out to Quiana, Nequel and MarcQus.

9. Type. Pause. Reread. Pause. Delete. Type. Reread. Pause. Send. This method will save you some trouble. You are who you are when nobody is lurking. Special thanks to Jason Meriwether for being a great social media role model.

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Nick Bates is the Assistant Director for Student Life at Loyola University Maryland. Nick enjoys finding the spaces in which culture intersects in Higher Education. Race, Culture and Gender in Higher Education.