Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Fight the Tower

Cheyne Fujimoto
ASA 2 , Section A-01

"Fight the Tower" presents the claim  that women of color in academia face biases that create obstacles that other groups would otherwise not encounter. Clearly a pun on "fight the power", the manifesto highlights problems in academia and, in a broader manner, society. This "tower" creates imagery of a structure that stands more of a symbol of oppression rather than a very defined and clear hindrance. The tower implies that the structure of power can be redefined if society cares enough to change it. Perhaps it is because I am not the primary audience the manifesto is geared towards, but I feel that the language borders on reactive aggression. This manifesto makes a lot of generalizations which I believe are unproductive in advancing such ideals.

Question: What is the best approach to fighting stereotypes in academia?

A picture of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers at UC Davis officers, of which the president is a "colored" woman.

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