Even in the field of anthropology we find exclusion, a mention of HBCU's is encouraging.
|
Posted By: Marta Fernandez on April 28, 2011 The American Anthropological Association has commissioned a board to study race and racism within our discipline. A well trained anthropologist is egalitarian and has to be able to harness ethnocentric teachings. Obviously and sadly this isn't the case. Racism must be the most powerful of human emotions. http://www.aaanet.org/stmts/racepp.htm The problem of lack of inclusion stems from several causes, amongst them would be the lack of knowledge about how the Human Genome Project should have impacted on the AAA"s Statement on Race. The second concerns studying anthropology as if were separate from the persona. The third would be students who decide to do a doctorate in this field who come from a disparate subject area, and as such have insufficient education in physical anthropology, and fourth the willful or absent minded lack of acceptance of our current and more egalitarian view of the concept of "race". I am glad that after 40 years that I have remained an ardent independent anthropologist. I love my colleague's pristine White papers, but it was my observation that being an academician was a different path from my desire to help to end racism via understanding and knowledge. For over 100 years we have sat back silently while the unproven concept of "race" has nearly destroyed American society. I walk alone. I am not black, I am not white, I am not brown, I am a human being, and that is the way I defined myself over 48 years ago. That knowing has persisted and been a stalwart reminder of why I resist the most damaging of social constructs. For 40 years I have conducted my own ethnographic studies, as a " non-minority, non-black, non-Hispanic, non African-American " within the self accepted "Black American" communities. No one else in this discipline can make the claim that they are holding expertise in the study of the African American phenomena from a position of inclusion and yet not a bona-fide member, simply by being able to "blend" in, not even scholar Dr. Leith Mullings whose legendary work can make this claim precisely because she is an "African American" and the psychological and political acceptance of being " Black in America " informs her views. I wrote to the Commission and stated the following in response to their plan: One of the modules of study you are considering I have long held that it is sorely needed. This next paragraph is on the e-mai l received - which I have re-posted, as follows: " (Who teaches Anthropology? Collect information on the teaching of anthropology at K-12, in tribal colleges, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and community colleges. How does anthropology get taught? In what school and school systems is anthropology taught? Share information on outreach programs to K-12 and community colleges to encourage students to consider majoring in anthropology in college. Develop a plan to better reach diversify communities of students at the K-12 and community college level.)" (Bullet format.) However there is a reason to be concerned that teachings of Black Studies would bleed into the curriculum. Black studies programs like the traditional past teachings of American history are rife with ethnocentric commentary and sublime messages of superiority, and sometimes not so sublime depending on the instructor. I was fortunate that when I began my college career my first anthropology teacher Dr.Ruby Leavitt was an egalitarian instructor with a no nonsense perspective and that was in 1975. When are we going to make this world better? One of my anthropology students at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, said to me "how is it that if you anthropologists know all of this(on understanding “race”) you don't get the information out? (well we do don't we? in academic circles of inclusion, and in all fairness as in all other disciplines,) I recall my own feelings of "gotcha" so I gave a very nicely packaged answer, I said, "our job is to study the phenomena, your job as our youth is to take the information and be a beacon of change in the world" or something weakly similar. He had in my mind "called me out". It is by belief that if you are not going to let the scientific study of the Human Genome project be used as a bulwark in the social and physical release of anthropological data, then for what purpose other than some vision of a phantom presence will it provide? This is why I remain a rogue, an applied rogue anthropologist -seeking truth in a Barnum and Bailey society. In closing, I had to smile on this "existing idea"; "Ethnography of US. A number of individuals have suggested that we might try to support (fund?) our own students to study the careers of anthropologists, marginalized or privileged, as well as the institutions they belong to". (Again one of the plans being considered by the Commission). Good idea, I know that there are 300 students walking around who have solid grasp of what we do and are "supposed to do". I have this to say: Free Your Mind. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Marta Fernandez
From Queens, NY CUNY -Queens College class of 1985 Member Since July 2008 |
Comments
|
:-)
Friday, April 29th 2011 at 10:56PM |
|
Test: I put the word "rogue" intentionally to see if people really comprehend English words. Not one person questioned it. Where "ardent independent" is now. This informs me that this network , if in fact, is comprised of students? you are not using critical thinking skills and worse you are not comprehending what you are reading. What I see is the disparity in black vs white education.
Sunday, May 1st 2011 at 10:06AM |
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
Overcome by My Testimony: I’m a Survivor ShowThese are episodes of my show Overcome by My Testimony: I’m a Survivor where I talk with people that have been through challenges in life but have made it through.
I’m always looking for people wi ...more
Rashon Forrest • 29 Views • March 25th, 2026 |
 |
2026 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo Packs More PunchSince 2009, the Volkswagen Tiguan has been the brand’s top seller in the U.S., a practical, conservative choice for families who value substance over flash. However, the 2026 model injects a much-need ...more
Randi Payton • 126 Views • March 22nd, 2026 |
 |
2026 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo Packs More PunchSince 2009, the Volkswagen Tiguan has been the brand’s top seller in the U.S., a practical, conservative choice for families who value substance over flash. However, the 2026 model injects a much-need ...more
Randi Payton • 127 Views • March 22nd, 2026 |
 |
Milwaukee's Own Independent Artist SO GLO Releases New Single "Herski"@SOGLO #SOGLO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_sommeerr2?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_sommeerr2?is_from_webapp=1&sender_devi ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 215 Views • March 19th, 2026 |
 |
Legendary Soul Singer EDDIE LEVERT Is Back Bringing More Passion, Romance & Soul With New Single "Let’s Go To My Place"@EDDIELEVERT #EDDIELEVERT
New Single
"Let’s Go To My Place"
https://youtu.be/GXNrCEOuJkM
https://linktr.ee/eddielevertsr?fbclid=PAAaasGYElQcaMrAEYn5bSEVM1DNbxnB2Q2jcTvb3KBrR1MIFBYDHQ8CdSId8
...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 364 Views • March 18th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,931,513 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,759 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 76,501 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 62,022 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
