"The field has been rather proud of its resistance to critical theory, which then attract more ppl who want to be resistant to theory" #Yes
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"They see medieval studies as a safe place to be elitist, a safe place to be white, a safe place to be Xtian, Eurocentric, misogynist,"
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The fact that medieval studies is relatively low on critical 'theory' appeals to people who want to be empirical rather than ideological.
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Who want to take history on its own terms & convey it rather than endlessly recycling unsubstantiated woo written in the 20th century.
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It used to be that anachronism was the greatest sin to the historian. Now its failing to read history through a postmodern mindset.
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If you study European medieval history, you will be studying mostly white people & Christians. This should not be suspect.
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Neither should you always have to read it as problematic.Assume that readers know that many medieval attitudes were intolerant of difference
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History can't be simply about pointing out how problematic everyone used to be in obscure language according to 20th century theories.
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Modern scholars first took a morally superior attitudes to medieval history - look how primitive & ignorant people were.
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But this gave way to an expectation that we'd take history on its own terms & uncover its complexities & richness, not moralise about it,
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Now, its all going horribly wrong again.
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I don't understand how it cld be problematic that medieval studies are too eurocentric. The concept is based on a period of european history
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I mean, Imperial China is a really interesting period, but it's not the same as the middle ages.
End of conversation
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In my opinion the Medieval period itself was not diverse enough and something must be done.
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"You've never seen the Big Bang, so you can't possibly understand it."
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Please don't make this more difficult than it has to be, Helen.
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I'm confused by this. Is it not possible that a white man can be an expert on a culture of which he isn't a part?
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They think European civilisation is intolerant and racist. Check how many African and Asian civilisations are racist and/or xenophobic.
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