> That's nice that they [anthropologists] wish to assist in tribal
> sovereignty cases, but then, that's not connected with their anthropology,
> is it? If it is, it's patronizing, and we don't need it.
I wonder how the people in our anthropology department would answer
that. I may have to bounce that one around.
I haven't had an interest in taking an anthro course, because it
seems to me to be like looking at people like zoo animals (but then,
I never especially enjoyed visiting the zoo, either), but on the
other hand, as far as history is concerned, the anthro department is
much more versed in "third world" countries than our history department
here, which pretty much ignores everything not American, European,
or Asian (specifically China and Japan). However, one thing that
I've noticed, is that the Sociology-Anthropology department (they're
combined here) is much more likely to get involved in political
issues than any other department on campus. Patronizing? Maybe.
My general impression is that it starts out with an interest in
studying other cultures, but as students find out about
injustices done, the historical background to different situations,
they often want to find ways to counteract it. Seems like it starts
out as racism, but that sensitive teaching turns it on its head
and forces students to reevaluate their beliefs. Some do a better
job than others.
It is true, as Roberta points out, that it is connected to power
relations, that it is a form of intrusion, that it is mostly
Europeans studying the other, but I also think there are more
effective means of dealing with it than boycotting. People
do need to think twice (more than twice) about what kind of
effect their behaviors are having, about making sure their
intrusions aren't resented, but then a willingness to share
and use such opportunities to teach could have pretty far
reaching effects...
> As for accusations of racism, it seems to me that anthropology
> is almost by definition racism.
Yeah, well, I guess I've already said that I agree with that,
but then racism is a learned behavior, needs to be unlearned.
What's the best way to bring that about?
Susan Witt
Knox College
<switt@knox.bitnet>