This isn’t a flex, I promise, but over the last 15 years I have likely taught more Black women students than any other educator at my university. Along with my regular courses, since 2008, I’ve taught a first-year African American literature course that each year enrolled approximately 30 Black women undergraduates.
The students have had many accomplishments. They have done well in classes, become leaders on campus, graduated, and entered their professional careers. But there have also been challenges. Beyond academics, one pattern that stands out is the number of students who miss class days due to illness.
I'm not naive and realize that a student here and there might have other reasons for missing classes. I understand that. But after nearly two decades of close attention, I am convinced that the overwhelming majority of Black women who miss class and cite sickness are telling the truth. I’ve witnessed this more than most because, as noted, I’ve taught more Black women than most.
Informal conversations with colleagues who also teach large numbers of Black women note the same pattern. Some have even observed that, on average, Black women students report sickness-related absences more often than other groups.
In the last decade, conversations about mental wellness among Black students have grown. Many now openly embrace therapy and other forms of support, which is encouraging.
But I have not seen the same level of discussion about physical health. Based on what I’ve witnessed in classrooms, that absence worries me. We would benefit from more visibility, more conversation, and more initiatives addressing Black women’s physical well-being.
We need to start now with preliminary reports at the very least. We can and should listen to Black women students, document their experiences, and advocate for real changes in campus health services and support systems.
