Physicists find it easier to believe that string theory is worth exploring — despite no empirical evidence — than to believe Black women about our experiences with white supremacy, despite mounds of empirical evidence in the form of our testimony and extensive research.
-
Show this thread
-
Physicists have generally been content to practice white empiricism because they don’t believe it is epistemically limiting. They don’t think it affects what we can learn about physics. This is predicated on a couple of false beliefs: 1. Black women have nothing to offer physics
1 reply 34 retweets 469 likesShow this thread -
“White empiricism obviously harms Black women’s participation in science, but that’s fine because Black women don’t have much to offer.”
5 replies 23 retweets 364 likesShow this thread -
2. “Physicists are being rational in all of their discursive choices. Research directions are chosen through reason, not moral commitment.”
1 reply 22 retweets 353 likesShow this thread -
But an environment that is hostile to people who have a different standpoint can never be as open as it needs to be to alternative frameworks. White empiricism makes physics into a homogenizing environment, which discourages new modes of thought.
2 replies 57 retweets 493 likesShow this thread -
The paper is set in the context of the area of philosophy that deals with knowledge systems. A short way of summarizing the previous tweets: white empiricism is an epistemically limiting form of anti-intellectualism that is a foundational praxis in professional science.
5 replies 62 retweets 568 likesShow this thread -
And this means that physics students are being taught to practice science using white empiricism, rather than a strong form of empiricism that has been released from the white supremacist chains that bind our social relations
2 replies 29 retweets 453 likesShow this thread -
I’m actually still sick with a fever, so I really need to stop now. But consider how much time I had to spend explaining my expertise and my CV and why I felt I had to, while this one grad student was ready to just tell me I was being unfairly provocative and anti-white woman.
8 replies 32 retweets 577 likesShow this thread -
And so yes, let’s not forget the other part of this: he was protecting white women from me. Because white women need saving from the unhinged, provocative Black woman.
5 replies 52 retweets 651 likesShow this thread -
Now, just think about how awful (white) (male) professors treat Black women like me in private, if this is how poorly graduate students behave in public
16 replies 80 retweets 939 likesShow this thread
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.