Read on Twitter
Two people at #aarsbl19 have asked how I, as a Sikh, could teach Buddhist history.
"Seems like a conflict of interest," he joked.
"But you're not even Buddhist." she said.
Here's the thing: Many in our field don't practice the traditions they teach. So why the double-standard?
"Seems like a conflict of interest," he joked.
"But you're not even Buddhist." she said.
Here's the thing: Many in our field don't practice the traditions they teach. So why the double-standard?
This is racialized. Our field is primarily white. I'm not. I'm also visibly religious.
Would people comment if I was a white scholar? Nope.
Were their comments malicious? Probably not.
Yet it shows that Orientalist and white supremacist outlooks are engrained in us. #aarsbl19
Would people comment if I was a white scholar? Nope.
Were their comments malicious? Probably not.
Yet it shows that Orientalist and white supremacist outlooks are engrained in us. #aarsbl19
I got comments like this often while teaching Islamic Studies in Texas.
I understand the question coming from folks outside the academy.
But it strikes me as bizarre coming from religious studies scholars.
I wanted to ask, “Don’t you understand what we do?!” #aarsbl19
I understand the question coming from folks outside the academy.
But it strikes me as bizarre coming from religious studies scholars.
I wanted to ask, “Don’t you understand what we do?!” #aarsbl19
To be honest, I don’t mind terribly.
I wish it weren’t this way, but I also understand that we all have unconscious biases.
Just hopeful that sharing this reflection will make us all a bit more aware and will help eliminate some of the inequities in our field. #aarsbl19
I wish it weren’t this way, but I also understand that we all have unconscious biases.
Just hopeful that sharing this reflection will make us all a bit more aware and will help eliminate some of the inequities in our field. #aarsbl19
I ended up writing about this experience what it tells us about the continuing legacy of colonialism in the study of religion.
Please read and share. #aarsbl19 https://religionnews.com/2019/11/26/the-scandal-of-a-minority-american-teaching-a-religion-not-his-own/
Please read and share. #aarsbl19 https://religionnews.com/2019/11/26/the-scandal-of-a-minority-american-teaching-a-religion-not-his-own/
