Thinking a lot about how the day I got into Harvard three different white kids told me I only got in because I am Black, how after I won a litany of awards a faculty member called me a diversity hire and after I earned tenure another one let me think everyone felt that way, about
how Black faculty and students and kids are being subjected to a national normalization of being called diversity hires and admits in the press and on social media How these are our conditions And how absolutely fucking nasty everyone who watches this and says nothing is
@IBJIYONGI Unfortunately the work for equity and general respect in this field is never ending. But I’d rather someone tell me to my face, then talk behind my back 🫠
@IBJIYONGI The way I always see it is that the status quo is actually an affirmative action program for white men. Really helps in mental framing, especially when accused of false claims of "diversity hire".
@IBJIYONGI Like how one of my former best high school friends, who’d describe himself as a radically progressive white guy, told me he’s been rejected from his first choice, Brown, “but that’s okay, some Black kid will get my spot. That’s cool.” HIS spot.