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I’m all for institutions calling for increased #diversity and #inclusion initiatives. But is the intent MEANINGFUL or is it PR?
It’s one thing to get underrepresented voices into the room. But will you actually listen to us when we get there? Or do you just want complicity? #phd
It’s one thing to get underrepresented voices into the room. But will you actually listen to us when we get there? Or do you just want complicity? #phd
Honestly, it just seems like a number of initiatives lately are just checkboxes on a to-do list or a photo opportunity to advertise our faces on your PR materials.
But if we have valid criticisms, they are “noted” and filed away without implementing any real change. #academia https://twitter.com/rnzpacific/status/1290573191698460672
But if we have valid criticisms, they are “noted” and filed away without implementing any real change. #academia https://twitter.com/rnzpacific/status/1290573191698460672
Masqueraded attempts at “ #inclusion” also permeate the review process.
I’ve been told to omit valid criticisms of inequity and injustice by non-URM journal eds who want only to highlight “positive” examples of exploitation in our fields.
Keep status quo or risk rejection.
I’ve been told to omit valid criticisms of inequity and injustice by non-URM journal eds who want only to highlight “positive” examples of exploitation in our fields.
Keep status quo or risk rejection.
I also see senior authority figures benefit (via promotion, positive reported grant outcomes) from the labor of less empowered #minority faculty and students who actually do the real work of engagement, often for free and without recognition. https://twitter.com/tpadillacu/status/1290710296999362560
As an #Indigenous person, I represent <1% at most institutions or am the sole representative. I am also an early-stage researcher and am disempowered.
It means I see through thinly veiled attempts at “inclusion”.
It also means I fear blowback for not conforming (and this tweet)
It means I see through thinly veiled attempts at “inclusion”.
It also means I fear blowback for not conforming (and this tweet)
What is “meaningful” engagement? It could take form in many ways:
1) Empower BIPOC to lead diversity initiatives and give them the authority (and budget) to institute real change. This means recognizing the effort faculty and students expend towards making YOU look inclusive
1) Empower BIPOC to lead diversity initiatives and give them the authority (and budget) to institute real change. This means recognizing the effort faculty and students expend towards making YOU look inclusive
2) At this point, reconsider funding yet another “diversity task force” or “town hall” or focus group. Consider putting that $$ towards IMPLEMENTATION.
Our comments too often end up in a long report that few read, reiterate similar concerns when that $$ could go towards support
Our comments too often end up in a long report that few read, reiterate similar concerns when that $$ could go towards support
3) Conferences and universities: put the camera away.
Give physical and temporal space to challenging and needed conversations that EVERYONE attends, not just BIPOC speaking to other BIPOC. Not on the last day of a schedule, in the furthest room, as a tokenized checkbox.
Give physical and temporal space to challenging and needed conversations that EVERYONE attends, not just BIPOC speaking to other BIPOC. Not on the last day of a schedule, in the furthest room, as a tokenized checkbox.
4) Stop cloaking your continual exploitation of our people and communities as “inclusion”.
#Academia still has not properly reckoned with its colonial extractivism. The harms of the past are still ongoing and unreconciled.
If we do not want part of your study, stop harassing us
#Academia still has not properly reckoned with its colonial extractivism. The harms of the past are still ongoing and unreconciled.
If we do not want part of your study, stop harassing us
5) Do not equate #diversity initiatives as devaluing merit. Just don’t.
Related to above, academia has stolen ideas and labor from URM people and communities and then had the audacity to erase our contributions. Learn the history of your fields.
Related to above, academia has stolen ideas and labor from URM people and communities and then had the audacity to erase our contributions. Learn the history of your fields.
6) Do not equate our valid criticisms and concerns as being “subjective” or “academic censorship”.
A) you minimize the valid concerns of URM academics, who you should be treating as colleagues not just as brown or black faces. B) I challenge the “pure objectivity” of #science: https://twitter.com/kstsosie/status/1253677438334197761
A) you minimize the valid concerns of URM academics, who you should be treating as colleagues not just as brown or black faces. B) I challenge the “pure objectivity” of #science: https://twitter.com/kstsosie/status/1253677438334197761
7) Recognize that many URM scientists are still navigating early careers.
BUT too many times our viewpoints are bypassed (i.e. publications, committees) to invite academics who built their careers on recruiting us as objects of study. Standards change, so should this one.
BUT too many times our viewpoints are bypassed (i.e. publications, committees) to invite academics who built their careers on recruiting us as objects of study. Standards change, so should this one.
8) LAST AND IMPORTANT: You do not get to call yourself an ally. We call you an ally when we perceive you to be one.
That means putting in the time to building trust. Not as a public performance. It also means acknowledging that some messaging should come from BIPOC, not you.
That means putting in the time to building trust. Not as a public performance. It also means acknowledging that some messaging should come from BIPOC, not you.
