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GRE scores for the 2020 application cycle will DEFINITELY reflect how trauma disproportionately affects different groups, specifically Black people.
Black applicants can't focus on studying for a test when Black people are dying from police violence and COVID19.
A thread/
Black applicants can't focus on studying for a test when Black people are dying from police violence and COVID19.
A thread/
Non-Black (& intl applicants) can basically tune out the reality of disproportionate death among Black people in the U.S. if they want.
Black people in the U.S. don't have that choice.
A test determining who gets a second look should NOT matter given the circumstances.
2/6
Black people in the U.S. don't have that choice.
A test determining who gets a second look should NOT matter given the circumstances.
2/6
Requiring the GRE this upcoming cycle will be a question of ethics.
Is it right to require a test that is a function of privilege during a time when social inequality is being GROSSLY exacerbated by police brutality and a global pandemic?
I am 150% sure it's not.
3/6
Is it right to require a test that is a function of privilege during a time when social inequality is being GROSSLY exacerbated by police brutality and a global pandemic?
I am 150% sure it's not.
3/6
I've heard stories of *incredible* Black applicants being waitlisted/rejected because their GRE score didn't make the cut.
Black talent not getting a second look because of a test that measures whether you had the resources to study for the test.
4/6
Black talent not getting a second look because of a test that measures whether you had the resources to study for the test.
4/6
In the same breath, those using the GRE to "screen" folx are now saying #BlackLivesMatter 
and "I'm trying to do better".
How can you say that without critically examining how barriers, like the GRE, often keep Black people out of academic spaces that non-Black folx occupy?
5/6
and "I'm trying to do better".How can you say that without critically examining how barriers, like the GRE, often keep Black people out of academic spaces that non-Black folx occupy?
5/6
For Black folx applying, it is REALLY hard right now.
It's hard to wake up hear about another Black life stolen. It's hard to hear about death constantly. We are experiencing shared trauma.
I would hope those "trying to do better" would empathize and adjust accordingly.
6/6
It's hard to wake up hear about another Black life stolen. It's hard to hear about death constantly. We are experiencing shared trauma.
I would hope those "trying to do better" would empathize and adjust accordingly.
6/6
Like you want more diversity, but you don't want to change the mechanism that keeps out diversity esp. at a time when certain circumstances are affecting diverse groups disproportionately.
Common sense ain't so common, but it needs to be.
Do better. Cancel this damn test.
7/6
Common sense ain't so common, but it needs to be.
Do better. Cancel this damn test.
7/6
Econ departments that want [near] perfect quant scores.
I'm looking at you directly.
With <3 % of econ PhDs being Black, you CANNOT afford to not adjust to assure that the trauma being inflicted on Black people right now doesn't make your departments non-Black.
8/6
I'm looking at you directly.
With <3 % of econ PhDs being Black, you CANNOT afford to not adjust to assure that the trauma being inflicted on Black people right now doesn't make your departments non-Black.
8/6
Some folx are commenting saying that the GRE prevents people from using their networks to be biased against applicants... well.... doing well on the GRE requires those same networks and resources in the first place.
9/6
9/6
If I go to a $$$ college, I will know what I need to do to do well on the test. If I am exposed to certain material, I will know what I need to do to do well on the test.
The GRE does not stop networks within academe that are tied to privilege from working.
10/6
The GRE does not stop networks within academe that are tied to privilege from working.
10/6
That said, while I may have access to resources with respect to GRE prep because of @aeaspmsu and spending a year @Harvard, ~90% of my Black peers DON'T have these resources... WHICH may deter them from grad school altogether. This is a bad outcome for EVERYONE.
11/6
11/6
I want to go on record and share that my mom endorses this thread WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
The only endorsement I need.
12/6
The only endorsement I need.
12/6
