im soft launching back onto this online space, but first, thoughts on ~professionalism & class~

professionalism & class are two things i have thought critically of over the past ten years. i have been particularly drawn to works by @ACPA, @JacobTobia, Aysa Gray, & @carmenriosss

so, what is professionalism/class?

(direct definitions taken from @MerriamWebster)

The markers of “professionalism”, the way that people speak, dress, and interact, are all deeply based in hegemonic systems of oppression that were intended to distinguish between those who belong and those who don’t. - @ACPA

[those who belong] & [those who don't]

At its core, the concept of “professionalism” is as much about dictating behavior and appearance as it is about exclusion. - @ACPA

in every aspect of our lives, professionalism works against the most vulnerable & oppressed. it pushes cis white heterosexual men to the top.

As a concept, professionalism is racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, classist, imperialist and so much more — and yet people act like professionalism is non-political. - @JacobTobia

it minimizes the ~work~ of those who "cannot" conform to our ~professional/class standards~

. @carmenriosss states: When professionalism demands we are implicit in our workplace culture & hierarchy, it is a direct roadblock to social progress.

"Hierarchies are inherently unequal, & not being able to challenge power structures should never be key to moving ahead in life. But in a professional environment, challenging the power structure – be it through your behaviors or your appearance – is unacceptable." @carmenriosss

and lets not forget about the biggest problem with ~professionalism/class~

white supremacy culture....or the systemic, institutionalized centering of whiteness.

Aysa Gray writes a great piece on this, please read it: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_bias_of_professionalism_standards#

so before we decide to throw ~professionalism/class~ at people, lets think more critically about what these words mean and who defined/defines them.

When will we stop listening to the rules of professionalism and start talking about what implications they have for us? - @ACPA