Wokeness & The Endarkenment

Science and math will always be safe from the ideologues. That’s what some people thought. They were fools. Look:

This Wednesday, June 10th we will join the call to #ShutDownSTEM! We urge all scientists and STEM workers to stop business as usual for a day to focus on actionable plans that work towards ending anti-Black racism.#Strike4BlackLives #BlackLivesMatter #ShutDownAcademia pic.twitter.com/FfmcYK2cho

— March for Science (@MarchForScience) June 8, 2020

A reader who is an academic and a scientist writes:

I wrote this message and debated whether to send it to you. Until I got the third message of the day from a university administrator calling for a general strike action.

I’m revolted at the murder of George Floyd and at police corruption. This does not distract from my alarm about the cult fire now burning hot through academia.

At my university, every administrator, program, sub-program from the chief executive to the department chair has sent one or more messages in the last week on the topic of racism. These explain that extensive anti-racism plans are forthcoming (always without detail but with an apology that the plans will be insufficient), and/or encourage us to protest, hold vigils etc.

All administrative meetings now begin with an acknowledgement of racism, a genuflection difficult to discern from an opening prayer.

Petitions are being circulated.

Some are empty performative chain letters on twitter:

I also pledge to oppose racism and hate through active allyship, continuous unlearning, learning and listening. And our team will always strive for diversity, inclusion, and respecting the contributions of all members. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/Ga7emfnNsM

— Cristopher Bragg