of this activism that we are doing alone. We become targets in ways that non-white people aren't. Our vision or message is often lost because people cannot look past who we are as "others." I know some, a very large, I will add, were VERY concerned 2/25
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about the WaPo article's thin explanation of the Middle Ages or making other nitpicky points about the field. Your concern was how this was damaging the public's understanding of what we do as scholars.
@erik_kaars and I read through the comments 3/25Show this thread -
when most of you white scholars were advising each other not to. We all have different tolerance levels, and as a general rule, comment sections are trash, but if there was such a concern abt the public's understanding of terms and annoyance that the journalist 4/25
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did a lousy job because she wasn't a medievalist, then why are almost all of the 500+ comments racial attacks against me and missing the entire point BECAUSE people cannot see past that attached picture & believe this field is for white people? 5/25
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I want you to stay with me and walk through some of these comments. It's important for several reasons, but mostly so that you see how your thinking about what's important needs to change. Think deeply about how you shelter yourself and why. 6/25
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This is not about me in the way that I'm somehow seeking sympathy. Us BIPOC learned different ways to cope with racial abuse. We've been experiencing it in a world of whiteness our entire lives. What you need to do is learn to focus on the issues that matter most. 7/25
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Sadly (?), some of the comments calling me the N-word and *most*rape threats or otherwise were removed by comment moderators as the comments rolled in. But I want to point out (not in a Nelson "Ha ha") way that you were wrong about what to be angry at in your nitpicking. 8/25
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You need to start listening to BIPOC and stand behind them if we're going to do this work for everyone. Many of you will know I didn't have pictures of me online until last week. A small circle knows that my past involves a dangerous stalker. Yes he was a medievalist. 9/25
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The point is, you all need to toughen up & get behind us in ways you aren't. You need to prioritize what we want. We want change in our field. We want it to be inclusive, we want BIPOC to be acknowledged & welcomed as scholars. We want a stop to sexual abuse and harassment. 10/25
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We want bullying to end. We want an inclusive field, with BIPOC acknowledged & welcomed as scholars. We want a stop to sexual abuse/harassment. We want ECR &grad students to be cited, included & acknowledged for the hard work they're doing for a field that disrespects them. 11/
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We want to teach differently and look for ways to make classrooms more welcoming, while teaching without whitewashing. We want our marginalized communities, whether PoC, LGBTQ+, those with disabilities, etc., to be included in "WE are medievalists." 12/
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Okay, ramble almost over, so let me guide you through some comments. See in these how my very being is disrupting the public's perception of a field and area of study "meant for white people." Your nitpicking missed the point. Here we go: 13/ 25
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If I'm gonna be murdered "manson style," it might as well be someone who picks great online usernames. 14/pic.twitter.com/8zcn6zTmot
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Here's where you scholars are wrong. The takeaway was not confusion about what we study, it was that I am a racist and Europe was homogenous. My antiracist self and scholar thinks we have to reach the public to correct these myths. 15/pic.twitter.com/VZmnxYSbxy
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I want to speak to this person's manager right now.
@erik_kaars, your excellent thread did not reach this person. Sorry. 16/25pic.twitter.com/lMyyOdr0tA
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Black, Indigenous, Girls of Color DO rock, Mark. Also, Obama, what now? Stop it. Get some help. 17/25pic.twitter.com/3takkuBwyB
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I mean, if I AM a descendant of the Cheddar Man that is totally awesome. Get off MY island. 18/25pic.twitter.com/p5vjMKKpyJ
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I'd like to balance your biases on a scale, but there probably isn't a scale big enough. 19/25pic.twitter.com/Sm6cUpIX6Z
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Notice that WASP identity is so interconnected to white supremacy as is 'Anglo-Saxon,' but let's return to Godwin's Law. "Bitch from hell" is going on my business cards. 20/25pic.twitter.com/P5ool1L4eA
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This one's from the InsideHigherEd article. Resisting being racist is hard, yo. 21/25pic.twitter.com/iry0qNI3y1
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"Invader" in the field, yo. Are you beginning to understand the real narrative here? The field is white and that's been understood as the norm. Your students don't feel welcome. 22/25pic.twitter.com/a7n4Fy3Pj8
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Take note that a non Anglo woman can join a group dedicated to researching [his] ancestors. How did I sneak in? If someone calls me Clayton Bigsby, Imma die. 23/25pic.twitter.com/SqtAEjkywf
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There were many comments abt Islam, Sharia Law, Iran, Saudi Arabia. Consider the black/brown targets in your countries who r imaginary threats. Support them. I'm not connected to any of those ideas/ places. Also disappointed no one spelled out "Shakira Law" in comments. 24/25pic.twitter.com/u8Z6430MU1
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At least I'm not white trash. OH SNAP! 25/25 Check out more in the comments below.pic.twitter.com/MOLD1CNu35
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Additional mentions: Jay gave me second-hand embarrassment. Seek help. /26pic.twitter.com/dBc5lCS2p9
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Is it though? Is it? Not sure I'm concerned whether or not a sentient genital wart thinks this is worth our time.pic.twitter.com/0vorbCEskh
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A ridiculous question for the ages. Read as: whiteness = European throughout history.pic.twitter.com/sfEscoobyX
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A donkey talking about ASS and not doing anything but being an ass.pic.twitter.com/RzamZjbEiu
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"HOOOWYTE HISTORY" = ASS. Your students are being marginalized. Your scholars of color are being marginalized.pic.twitter.com/xix3mHTbZJ
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