Storify is closing and over the coming weeks, I will be migrating my posts to my blog. This is an archive of my article first published on Storify in March 2017.
By mid-March 2017, women of colour (WOC) had been contacting me about their experiences with various March for Science satellite marches. They were concerned about low commitment to diversity, especially racial inclusion. Other issues, such as accessibility, also remained a problem.
Diversity issues had plagued the March for Science central organising committee from its inception. By mid-March 2017, almost two months after announcing the protest, the organisers had yet to demonstrate concrete commitment to diversity (equity, inclusion and accessibility). Women of colour had been contacting me in private and in public on Twitter, voicing concerns that satellite marches were not doing enough on diversity planning.
These women’s efforts to increase proactive action on diversity was being met with opposition from fellow local committee members. This ranged from not being listened to, to being told that there were no problems with inclusion, to outright hostility, alienation and conflict with organisers or fellow committee members. One woman described this experience as “gaslighting.”
The women who were in touch with me felt under-valued, and some questioned their involvement or were seeking advice about how to reconcile their efforts in a culture lacking collegiality and solidarity for women of colour.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842946721789362176
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842947153123143680
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842947552492179456
The central organising committee still has gaps on its leadership with representation of experts for disability; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) researchers; and equity and diversity practitioners making decisions mindful of racial, ethnic and religious minorities in STEM.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842947790242119680
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842948208724652034
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842948442716495873
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842948694060150784
The march committee’s non-partisan and “a-political” stance seems to be a shield against confronting the Trump Administrations policies.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842949091747221505
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842949379711426560
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842949855278333952
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842950060631449600
It is unclear how the March for Science will have concrete impact given they don’t have a clear road-map for policy change. Overturning the Trump Administration’s adverse policies, such as the Executive Order on visas and immigration (the “Muslim ban”), requires practical action and collaboration with other organisations and social movements.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842950288008871936
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842950544033370114
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842951051258998784
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842951285242445824
The March for Science wants to be a “celebration of science” and draw on the veneer of social protest, without any of the political advocacy. It is unclear how this will will lead to effective changes. The organisers seem to be preoccupied with making Trump supporters comfortable with the goals of the march, without being willing to address the safety and impact on minority groups more acutely affected by President Trump’s policies.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842951698955960320
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842951895715008512
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842952074652393472
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842952441834352640
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842952889848946690
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842953274739249152
As an organisation, the March for Science functions as an extension of White privilege, by shying away from decisive political action. If this trend continues, it will be majority groups who will feel safe and welcome at the march, and minorities will be forced to weigh up their personal safety and community interests should they choose to attend. The march is in serious danger of reproducing the status quo, seeking high attendance from White people from majority groups, over proactive inclusion and social justice.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842953926240477185
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842954237910773760
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842954516102172672
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842955040805408768
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842955040805408768
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842955316123787264
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842955551910768640
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842955893306081281
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842956364100001792
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842956532945846277
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842956948358160384
WOC leaving the March for Science
A few women joined the public conversation, sharing why they had left their local marches, or why tensions around diversity had disenfranchised their participation from the beginning.
https://twitter.com/jpalbusa/status/842799786596192256
https://twitter.com/jpalbusa/status/842950895138684928
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/843054589611925506
https://twitter.com/MiaDoesAstro/status/843043452485062656
https://twitter.com/jpalbusa/status/842858284822548480
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842964290034327553
https://twitter.com/lada90/status/842980860684988417
https://twitter.com/lada90/status/842981042520694786
https://twitter.com/ThylacineReport/status/842995665613606913
https://twitter.com/NvBerryman/status/843157425331015680
https://twitter.com/KYT_ThatsME/status/843079612238389248
https://twitter.com/cricketcrocker/status/843103403362451457
https://twitter.com/reina_sabah/status/842987384350429184
Responses from scientists
Scientists noted that the march is “a giant mess” on diversity, by causing disunity and marginalising minority groups. Others were concerned about the organisers’ reticence to address politics head-on.
https://twitter.com/MariannePeso/status/842958190903926784
https://twitter.com/DiagnosticChick/status/842956128808067074
https://twitter.com/DiagnosticChick/status/842959378051489792
https://twitter.com/DiagnosticChick/status/842959629357322240
Accessibility concerns remain high, with the central committee not doing enough to include input from disability experts and ignoring new members who have lived experience with disability.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842987091415912448
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842986526162092032
https://twitter.com/missmolamola/status/843012239737016320
https://twitter.com/DiagnosticChick/status/843009126116528128
https://twitter.com/OtherOrbScience/status/843011842033106944
https://twitter.com/alexhaagaard/status/843107529907486720
https://twitter.com/alexhaagaard/status/843107721826177027
https://twitter.com/alexhaagaard/status/843107914088923137
https://twitter.com/alexhaagaard/status/843108072688115712
Dr Jaquelyn Gill shared that her decision to leave the March for Science organising committee was based on the organisation’s inability to incorporate diversity, as well as other internal dynamics, such as reticence to work with established activist groups.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/843112039027372033
Scientists were worried about the need to appease Trump supporters over inclusion.
https://twitter.com/jpalbusa/status/842960677203599364
https://twitter.com/jpalbusa/status/842961316709056513
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842967872196374528
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842968168641388545
https://twitter.com/jpalbusa/status/842960677203599364
Many scientists noted that the focus on funding and sponsorship may compromise the integrity of protesting against negative policy decisions.
https://twitter.com/Knhannah/status/842991786532380672
Eric Holthaus asked how allies might better support efforts to address equity, inclusion and accessibility. I suggested listening and uplifting underrepresented minority writing and advocacy, and I pointed him to other advice on anti-racism advocacy.
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/842994788026609664
Other scientists and community members noted that the March for Science is in true danger of reproducing White privilege, by centring the attendance of White people, especially those who are able-bodied, cisgender and heterosexual.
https://twitter.com/kennric/status/843013590948831232
https://twitter.com/KYT_ThatsME/status/843082177009143808
https://twitter.com/OMN0MNOMM/status/843105920884379650
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/843112742806462464
https://twitter.com/OMN0MNOMM/status/843113385508175874
https://twitter.com/OtherSociology/status/843114896984170496
Deciding not to march
Some scientists expressed their dissatisfaction with the coordination of the march, saying that they would not attend as a result of maligning inclusion.
https://twitter.com/OtherOrbScience/status/843008452284706816
https://twitter.com/leighkay_/status/843108282067750912
Image: Words by Flavia Dzodan. Graphic by Z. Zevallos. [Stylised photo of a street intersection with the phrase: My feminism will be intersectional or it will be bullshit! – Flavia Dzodan.]
The Other Sociologist 