RACISM
Hashtag against discrimination
Black scientists are apparently still seen by many universities as an inherent contradiction.
Shardé M. Davis (left) and Joy Melody Woods (right) are raising awareness of white privilege. | Photos: zVg
Racism also exists inside the ivory tower. In order to make more people aware of this, the doctoral student Joy Melody Woods of the University of Texas in Austin (US) and the assistant professor Shardé M. Davis of the University of Connecticut (US) together set up the hashtag #BlackInTheIvory. Black researchers are using it to report the times they have been mistaken for cleaners or electricians. “In order for [white people] to recognize systemic racism, they also have to recognize their white privilege, which has propelled their careers in ways that are not based upon merit”, says Davis. These two communication scientists are convinced that the solution must involve more than just superficial reforms. “We want radical, structural change”, says Woods.
