Week 1 - Fight the Tower

Joshua Vandermeyde

A03

Week 1 - Fight the Tower

This week’s reading, “Fight the Tower,” by Professor Valverde was an eye opening article that exposed the struggles that she endured with trying to earn tenure at her university due to the discrimination she faced from her colleagues. She highlights the many ways people tried to impede her progress in her career through multiple acts of egregious discrimination against her disability, race, and gender. Her story is very empowering -- the fact that she endured through every obstacle set in her path, even at the cost of her own life, is a triumphant story that inspires anyone to persevere. While being an inspiration, her story also sheds light on how discrimination and stereotypes are being faced by women of color every day. At every step, Professor Valverde was faced with challenges due to factors out of her control. Whether it was the day to day hostility of her coworkers, or the overwhelming stress of completing an appeal for a deserving tenure, there was always an obstacle in her way. Personally, I have not and will not have to experience these hardships in my life. Being a white male, I don’t think I will ever be able to understand the struggles that a woman of color endures. But, that does not mean I cannot try to help situation in any way that I can. As Professor Valverde says, “Change is best achieved collectively,” and while I am an outsider to people who experience racism and prejudice, I hope I can provide support to the ones who need it.

This image ties into the theme of the article we read, that when you are a woman of color, or have a disability, you face certain challenges that other people do not have to worry about.

Question:
What can someone who is not a woman of color do to help improve the situation of discrimination that is described in Professor Valverde's article?

References:
Valverde, K. (2013). Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia. Seattle Journal of Social Justice. 12(2). 367-419.

Caraway-Howard, C. L. (15, March 12). [Discrimination in the Workplace]. Retrieved April 5, 2017, from http://www.employeerightslawgroup.com/labor-law/discrimination-in-the-workplace/