3/10/19
A02
"Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke" characterizes the so-called "harsh reality" of academia not as the community of wise, sharp-witted intellectuals it is sometimes perceived to be, but as a high school cafeteria, rife with bullying and divided between the in-crowd and the outsiders. While I don't expect any organization to be beyond society's prejudices and oppression, it's disheartening to think that academia is less of a meritocracy than it might seem to be.
However, the essay does not discuss the role of the students in this power hierarchy. Would the author argue that students are at risk of becoming indoctrinated into the established system of academia, contributing to the normalization of injustice within the academy? Are students in a position to make a significant impact when it comes to reworking the established system, or are more senior members of academia capable of making a bigger impact? Speaking as an undergraduate student with no intention of continuing with academia after I graduate, I personally have no exposure to either the petty drama or the systemized oppression present in the academy. I think it would be interesting to consider how the effects of academics reclaiming the concept of "staying woke" would extend beyond the academic community.
It would be helpful if the information needed to cite our readings was more readily and consistently available, especially when the reading is taken from a book edited by Prof. Valverde herself.
Valverde, K.C., Dariotis, W.M. "Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke."
Wow, your interpretation of my research and writing was not the intent at all. First, injustices and social politics is not the exclusive domain of academia, which you characterized as, "high school cafeteria, rife with bullying and divided between the in-crowd and the outsiders." Once in the working field, you will understand how pattens of inequality is embedded in the institutions – everywhere. If you saw the class as just about an anomaly in higher ed, then I need to go back and rewrite my book, or you need to reread my piece. Also, articles were available on time. It was just the articles based on what the students requested that took longer to get up since I had to quickly add newest research on the matter. Hope that helps clarifies things.
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