Embracing Ethnic Studies, Embracing History
In a recent issue of Ethnic Studies Review, I wrote a commentary about January 6, 2021. In short, it is the very type of critique and analysis one would expect from anyone involved, even tangentially, with Ethnic Studies. But, somewhat to my surprise, the responses and “pushback” to my commentary indicate just how volatile and precarious just “talking” about the status of democracy in the United States is today, never mind engaging in action(s) to push for social justice: actions that acknowledge the diversity that is the United States, include many more of that diverse population in our political discourse and legislation, and achieve genuine political equity for all. Ethnic Studies provides a solid foundation and powerful engine for such actions. This makes Ethnic Studies appealing and useful to many groups and individuals who struggle to embrace diversity, strive for meaningful inclusion, and establish real and lasting equity.
But the very thing that makes Ethnic Studies attractive and beneficial, unfortunately, also makes it the target of those committed to demeaning diversity, devaluing inclusion, and obliterating the very possibility of equity. As Toni Morrison eloquently put it in the introduction to Race-ing Justice, En-gender-ing Power: Essays on Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas, and the Construction of Social Reality, “As in virtually all of this nation’s great debates, nonwhites and women figure powerfully, although their presence may be disguised, denied or obliterated.” So the attacks on Ethnic Studies and its advocates demonstrate the continued efforts to disguise, deny and obliterate the legitimate “presence” of everyone not white, Christian, male or beholden to the ideology of white supremacy, patriarchy and unfettered capitalism –everything, in other words, that January 6, 2021 meant and represented to those who demanded that Donald J. Trump remain in power. Trump’s remaining in power would have meant the continuation of the dominance of all things white, Christian, class elitist, male, etc. over and above the reality that such domination is being challenged by the dynamics of democracy, by the power of diversity, inclusion and equity made manifest in the 2020 election; thus, the numerous (desperate?) efforts to undo the election and to render the presence of Blacks, indigenous peoples, the LGBTQ communities, and many others null and void.
Ethnic Studies makes present and real those who have been “disguised, denied or obliterated,” those who have been made un-real, and thus “un-American,” by those who fear the loss of their importance and control.
Those wondering about the value and significance of Ethnic Studies today just need to take a moment and consider how a different narrative about our democracy might emerge and succeed beyond the legacy of slavery, colonialism, patriarchy, class elitism, homophobia and biases against those disabled.
In a recent issue of Ethnic Studies Review, I wrote a commentary about January 6, 2021. In short, it is the very type of critique and analysis one would expect from anyone involved, even tangentially, with Ethnic Studies. But, somewhat to my surprise, the responses and “pushback” to my commentary indicate just how volatile and precarious just “talking” about the status of democracy in the United States is today, never mind engaging in action(s) to push for social justice: actions that acknowledge the diversity that is the United States, include many more of that diverse population in our political discourse and legislation, and achieve genuine political equity for all. Ethnic Studies provides a solid foundation and powerful engine for such actions. This makes Ethnic Studies appealing and useful to many groups and individuals who struggle to embrace diversity, strive for meaningful inclusion, and establish real and lasting equity.
But the very thing that makes Ethnic Studies attractive and beneficial, unfortunately, also makes it the target of those committed to demeaning diversity, devaluing inclusion, and obliterating the very possibility of equity. As Toni Morrison eloquently put it in the introduction to Race-ing Justice, En-gender-ing Power: Essays on Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas, and the Construction of Social Reality, “As in virtually all of this nation’s great debates, nonwhites and women figure powerfully, although their presence may be disguised, denied or obliterated.” So the attacks on Ethnic Studies and its advocates demonstrate the continued efforts to disguise, deny and obliterate the legitimate “presence” of everyone not white, Christian, male or beholden to the ideology of white supremacy, patriarchy and unfettered capitalism –everything, in other words, that January 6, 2021 meant and represented to those who demanded that Donald J. Trump remain in power. Trump’s remaining in power would have meant the continuation of the dominance of all things white, Christian, class elitist, male, etc. over and above the reality that such domination is being challenged by the dynamics of democracy, by the power of diversity, inclusion and equity made manifest in the 2020 election; thus, the numerous (desperate?) efforts to undo the election and to render the presence of Blacks, indigenous peoples, the LGBTQ communities, and many others null and void.
Ethnic Studies makes present and real those who have been “disguised, denied or obliterated,” those who have been made un-real, and thus “un-American,” by those who fear the loss of their importance and control.
Those wondering about the value and significance of Ethnic Studies today just need to take a moment and consider how a different narrative about our democracy might emerge and succeed beyond the legacy of slavery, colonialism, patriarchy, class elitism, homophobia and biases against those disabled.
How might we undo the harm that has been caused by centuries of “disguising, denying and obliterating” the many people whose presence, since before the birth of our nation, have been essential to its existence and growth, but prevented from full participation in our democracy? Ethnic Studies provides alternatives to the myopic worldview that January 6, 2021, attempted to (re)impose on all of us. Ethnic Studies broadens our vision and our ability to see further into our histories, our present and our future. It has been and remains a rigorous, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and even “transdisciplinary” reconsideration of who “we” are, where “we” come from, and how “we” might see the future. Ethnic Studies is a threat to seeing things only “this way,” because it insists on seeing things “otherwise;” it insists on seeing things clearly through the lens of history, and not “disguised, denied, or obliterated.” But, to make that happen “we” need to make sure Ethnic Studies endures the assaults and help it not only survive but thrive as it helps us see how “we” might thrive.
About Dr. Sapp: Professor, Humanities and Teacher Education College of Mount Saint Vincent. Author of A Question of Voice: Philosophy and the Search for Legitimacy, by University of Michigan Press among other works.