How Can I Overcome Prejudice Against My Eye Twitch in Academia?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the challenges faced by a graduate student with an eye twitch in academia, particularly in the context of presentations and interactions with peers and professors. Participants explore strategies for overcoming prejudice and gaining respect despite the twitch, touching on social dynamics and personal experiences in academic settings.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over being judged negatively due to their eye twitch, despite their strong presentation skills and demeanor.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster should address the issue directly with professors and peers to raise awareness about the involuntary nature of the twitch.
  • There is a proposal to use humor as a strategy, suggesting that the original poster could incorporate the twitch into their presentations as a memorable aspect of their persona.
  • Some participants discuss how they would handle mockery from students, indicating a need for assertiveness in addressing disrespectful behavior.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects a mix of agreement on the need for awareness and assertiveness, but there are differing opinions on the best approach to take in addressing the issue with professors and peers.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of comfort with confronting disrespectful behavior, and there are assumptions about the social dynamics in academic environments that remain unexamined.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals in academia facing similar challenges with physical tics or disabilities, as well as those interested in social dynamics and respect in professional settings.

FalconOne
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I have an eye twitch/tic and I hate it. There's really nothing I can do about it and I can't take medication for it. But what I hate more than my twitch is the response people, physicists in particular, have toward it. I present well, but I almost always get docked points because my "presence" isn't that great due to the twitch. I stand tall, I don't fidget, speak well, etc. but that twitch gets me down. I watch videos of myself, and if I didn't have that twitch, my presentation would be so much more enjoyed. People have been very rude ("Are you winking at me?" when I'm presenting a poster to them) and it makes me worry about my future in the field.

Do you have any suggestions on what I should do to be better respected in graduate school so that my professors at least understand? Should I just inform them upfront about it? What about when I TA? I frequently get mocked by a student or two when I'm in front of a group of people. What can I do to make people see past it when I present my work? Am I "doomed" with regards to presenting?
 
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You're a military officer, right? What would you do if a junior enlisted did that to you? Do the same thing when a student does it.
 
I can quickly nip it in the bud when going home is at stake- or push ups... But what do you do with professors?
 
Last edited:
"Professor, I am surprised that you said that. Do you mock all the disabled?"
 
FalconOne said:
Should I just inform them upfront about it?

Absolutely! They should be aware that it is not voluntary.

You can also work it into your "schtick". Own it. Make an appropriate and good natured joke about it in your intro. There are many famous people who are known for their oddity or tick. Make it an advantage. Make it something people will help remember you by (not solely of course).
 

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